Julie Seed’s grieving partner Chris Smith honours her two years after alleged stabbing
Two years on, the heartbroken fiance of murdered real estate agent Julie Seed shares how baseball and caring for her daughters is helping him heal.
Adelaide security guard Chris Smith instantly knew Julie Seed was “the one”, and two heartbreaking years on from her fatal stabbing at a suburban real estate office his love hasn’t waned.
Nor has his commitment to the adored 38-year-old mother-of-two’s precious girls, now 14 and 19, who divide their time living in the “dream home” their mum and her fiance built, as well as with their biological dad.
Mr Smith and the “fun, bubbly and outgoing” property manager, who loved cows, music, food truck festivals, fancy dress parties and the colour pink, had spent five happy years together and planned to marry in 2026.
“I’m very proud of the girls; I consider myself a caretaker at times, a sort of a bystander, they’re the ones who have lost their mother … as hard as it is on me, it’s tenfold on them,” Mr Smith, 43, says, choosing not to name them to protect their privacy.
“I’ve loved and considered the girls as my own daughters … (they) were the first ones to know I was going to ask Julie to marry me – I asked for their permission.
“Both of the girls have little bits of Julie in them … one of them will smile, say something, or do something silly and you’re like, ‘Yeah, that’s their mum’ – they are good reminders.”
Christmas will be forever tinged with sadness for the loved ones of UK-born Ms Seed who are reminded, too, that “tomorrow’s not guaranteed”.
“I was at home with the girls, just making some dinner in the afternoon as we were due to go Christmas shopping that evening … (that phone call) definitely rocked our world,” Mr Smith, 43, says.
“Initially, we were told that (Julie) was at Royal Adelaide Hospital and to just hurry up and get down there, which we did but she wasn’t even there, she didn’t get the opportunity to make it.
“You never expect you’ll be impacted by something like this, you think it happens to other people.”
Ms Seed’s colleague and friend Susan Scardigno, 51, was seriously injured in the alleged random and unprovoked attack on December 20, 2023.
Introduced by a mutual friend who’d long suspected the pair would be a perfect match, Mr Smith says he was “instantly hooked”.
“I was attracted by her smile; she was fun, bubbly, outgoing – always smiling and positive and lit up a room,” he says.
“We never argued, never disagreed … it was kind of crazy.”
Mr Smith’s eyes well with tears when asked to describe life without his sweetheart.
“(Thinking of Julie) I feel lots of love and warmth but sadness as well … it’s hard to comprehend,” he says.
“Obviously, the first few months were very difficult … people say time heals wounds but it doesn’t really … you’re okay until you’re not okay – that’s probably the easiest way to put it.
“She’s always there … our home is filled with pictures and memories.
“You’ll be driving somewhere and a certain song comes on the radio and you’ll think of her and (get) a few tears in your eyes.
“She had a massive passion for cows, or ‘grass puppies’ as she called them… we think of her whenever we see cows.”
Beyond the girls and close family, the Adelaide Angels baseball club community has helped Mr Smith in his darkest days.
“I found I couldn’t talk, without breaking down but (baseball) helped initiate talking again … (it’s) been a huge part of my healing to just be among some mates and have a couple of hours on a weekend that, you know, you’re not thinking about other things,” he says.
He’s found purpose in lobbying with Ms Scardigno for new state knife laws which include the banning of swords and machetes and sales of knives to children and is now supporting national anti-violence movement Polished Man.
He plans further changes when the court case has run its course. Accused Shaun Michael Dunk will face court in February after pleading not guilty due to mental incompetence.
For now he remains focused on honouring Ms Seed’s memory and caring for her girls.
“The girls and myself always talk about making her proud, day-in and day-out … she was a fierce protector of her children, it just makes sense to continue the things she was passionate about,” he says.
A fundraising event: Bat for a Cause
PEOPLE are being asked to don some pink and turn out for Bat For a Cause this weekend, to honour the late Julie Seed, fatally stabbed on December 20, 2023.
“WE want people to wear Julie’s favourite colour to help create a sea of pink in her memory,” fiance Chris Smith says.
TO be held on Saturday, December 20, at Weigall Oval, the fundraising event will happen around match day between baseball sides Adelaide Angels and South Districts.
THE first game will kick off at 9am with the Division One clash to be played from 2pm.
THERE will be raffles and other fundraising activities.
ALL money raised will be used in Julie’s name by national charity Polished Man, which works to reduce violence against women and children.
TO donate, go to polishedman.com/chris-smith
