Maxwell family group chat reveals devastating news of sister’s sudden death

Isobel Vlahiotis sent a police release to a family group chat about a serious crash on Port Wakefield Highway. She didn’t know it then but it would claim the life of her sister.

A horror chain of text messages lays bare what no family should ever have to go through – the panic around the revelation that a loved one has been in a fatal accident.

This is what the Maxwell family had to endure as they learnt the fate of their beloved Odetta, 25, a psychology student with a promising music career.

Her story is one of many behind the shocking statistics – here we tell the stories of all 101 people who have died this year.

The Maxwells had already been through too much, as parents Kym and Rachael have acquired brain injuries from two separate crashes. One of Odetta’s roles was as a carer for them.

But on January 31, Odetta’s sister – Kym and Rachael’s youngest daughter – Isobel Vlahiotis, sent a police release to a family group chat about a serious crash on Port Wakefield Highway, something not unusual for the road safety conscious family, that would irreversibly change the family forever.

“It is Odetta. She is in hospital. She’s had a serious accident. I’m trying to find out what’s going on. I thought she was with mum. I don’t know what to do,” the thread reads.

The moments before the Maxwell family learnt their sister was involved in a fatal crash at Port Wakefield. Picture: Supplied

The Maxwell family group chat when sister Isobel learnt her sister had been the victim of a crash. Picture: Supplied

Odetta was at her parent’s house prior to the crash before she left after telling her mum to “have a good day”.

The 25-year-old was spotted on security footage ordering a burger and drink from a truck stop moments before her car went off the road.

“That’s what ended her life,” Ms Vlahiotis said. “It’s been one of the hardest years to navigate and try and survive that I’ve ever experienced.”

Odetta’s father’s health declined so much in the aftermath that he needed to be placed into permanent care.

“My mum went from living with her daughter, who was helping them a lot, and her husband to living completely alone,” Ms Vlahiotis said.

Isobel Vlahiotis lost her sister Odetta Maxwell on a country road and has a message for drivers. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Odetta Maxwell at her sister, Isobel Vlahiotis' wedding in April, where she was the Maid of Honour. Picture: Supplied by family

Major Crash declared the cause “distraction”.

Her younger sister called her death “senseless”.

With videos accumulating hundreds of thousands of views Ms Vlahiotis has taken to social media to advocate for road safety and raise awareness for Odetta’s story.

“People don’t see past that moment, they don’t realise they can actually die,” she said.

“I can’t believe people still drive unsafely, the actual volume of people that have died is really up there and it’s just become so normal people are desensitised to these deaths.”

Ms Vlahiotis said she’s had thousands of people reach out to her after seeing her videos telling her they will be more conscious for Odetta.

Odetta Maxwell, a 25-year-old Port Wakefield woman, died after a single car crash on Port Wakefield Highway. Picture: Facebook

Odetta Maxwell with sister Isobel Vlahiotis and parents Kym and Rachael Maxwell. Picture: Supplied by family

Odetta was studying psychology and neuroscience at university, inspired by her parents’ struggles.

“She genuinely was one of those people that had no fear, and she did actually want to change the world and she did, in her way,” Ms Vlahiotis said.

She was awarded a scholarship to study at Eynesbury College where she graduated with an ATAR of 97.2.

The 25-year-old spent much of her life backpacking around the world.

Between the ages of 17 and 23, she travelled to multiple countries by herself, making friends along the way and learning languages.

Odetta and Isobel when they were children. Picture: Supplied by family

Odetta Maxwell was studying psychology and neuroscience at university, inspired by her parent’s injuries. Picture: Supplied by family

Odetta’s crash occurred on January 31 where she managed to pull herself from her car wreck before police and paramedics arrived.

A few days later on February 2, she died as a result of her injuries.

She is survived by her mother, Rachael Maxwell, 52, her father, Kym Maxwell, 68, her sisters, Isobel Vlahiotis, 23, Carrie Maxwell, 42 and Leah Maxwell O’Regan, 38, Carrie’s stepdaughter, Tayla Irons, her brothers-in-law Michael, Brad and Liam, her niece, Estelle and her nephews Jack, Tom and Max.