Triple J unearthed star, Africola waitress dies after crash at Port Wakefield

Aspiring musician Odetta Maxwell is being remembered as “an angel” who worked hard at a famed CBD restaurant to support her disabled parents.

Odetta Maxwell (far right) who died in a single-car crash on Tuesday at her sister, Isobel Vlahiotis' wedding in April. Picture: Supplied by family

Odetta Maxwell was leaving her parents’ house in the moments before she died tragically after a car accident on Port Wakefield Hwy.

“You have a good day,” she yelled out to her mum, Rachael Maxwell, as she was leaving.

Now her family is left with memories of the 25-year-old promising musician, who worked tirelessly to care for her disabled parents.

“She basically was just an angel,” her sister, Isobel Vlahiotis, 23, said.

Odetta Maxwell who died in a single-car crash on Tuesday at her sister, Isobel Vlahiotis' wedding in April, where she was maid of honour. Picture: Supplied by family

Odetta Maxwell worked as a waitress and disability care worker. Picture: Supplied by family

Ms Vlahiotis said her sister sang, performed and danced.

She was “captivating” when she performed, singing under a pseudonym Pink Wasabi which she had recently changed to Lady Maxwell.

Her dance music singles featured on Triple J unearthed in 2019.

Triple J Music editors and directors described her tracks as ”exciting” and a “sweet and carefree piece of music, but it retains a lot of heart”.

Outside of music, Odetta cared for both her parents who suffer with disabilities and injuries as a result of horrific car accidents.

Her mother, now 52, sustained an acquired brain injury when she was hit by a car at the age of eight.

Doctors believed Rachael had a low chance of survival and was told she wouldn’t be able to have children.

“My sister was literally a miracle,” Ms Vlahiotis said.

Odetta’s father, Kym Maxwell was involved in a “catastrophic” car accident when he was 37 years old, also leaving him with an acquired brain injury.

“As a result of the damage to his brain, he now has normal pressure hydrocephalus, so he is in need of care,” Ms Vlahiotis said.

“Odetta was actually living with them and caring for them, so it’s indescribable really.

“We had a little bit of hope for Odetta because we’d seen it, with my dad and we’d seen it with my mum,” she said.

“It’s so horrible it’s impacted our family so, so much.”

Odetta Maxwell (on right) who died in a single-car crash on Tuesday at her sister, Isobel Vlahiotis' wedding in April, with her family. Picture: Supplied by family

Ms Vlahiotis and Odetta are 18 months apart. The pair had a “really tight-knit bond”, Ms Vlahiotis said was a result of growing up with parents who had disabilities.

“She was courageous,” she said. “She was really my voice – we were basically twins.”

Seven weeks ago, Ms Vlahiotis had her first child, a baby girl called Estelle.

“Thank god she got to meet her,” she said. “She got to meet my daughter.”

Ms Vlahiotis will hold on to that moment forever keeping it close to her heart.

“She stood by me through really every big moment in my life, she was my voice and she was on my side,” she said.

“She was my maid of honour in April last year for my wedding.”

Isobel Vlahiotis' wedding party. Picture: Supplied by family

Odetta struggled with mental health and substance issues at different points in her life, but in the past few years had worked hard to find happiness.

“I think of just the situation that we were born into as a result of the accidents in the past and she fought hard, she fought hard and I was in awe of what she was, like a warrior.

“She had those struggles but every day she was working and working and working to overcome them and if there was a problem, she’d put her all in to get that problem solved.”

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 worked as a disability care worker with her sister and as waitress, working along East End including Africola.

“She loves fine wine and food – she was a massive foodie,” she said.

Africola chef, Duncan Welgemoed remembered Odetta fondly.

“Odetta was part of the Africola family for (a) long while,” Mr Welgemoed said.

“She was dedicated, passionate and genuine. Her potential was limitless as she truly was one of a kind.

“We are so heartbroken at the news and our thoughts go out to her family.”

Odetta Maxwell with her younger sister Isobel Vlahiotis. Picture: Supplied by family

Odetta Maxwell studied psychology and neuroscience at university after she achieved a high ATAR. Picture: Supplied by family

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

Odetta’s psychology teacher remembers her as a “brilliant student, hardworking and intelligent”.

Odetta “was passionate about mental health, Indigenous rights and that’s just the tip of the iceberg” according to her younger sister.

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 was always learning new skills. Recently she had been getting into surfing and loved spending time at the beach.

Odetta was born on October 3, 1997 and died on February 1, 2023. She was 25 years old. Picture: Supplied by family

Emergency services were called to Port Wakefield Hwy just after 11am on Tuesday to find Odetta’s vehicle in nearby scrub.

Odetta managed to get herself out of the car before police and paramedics arrived.

She was flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital but died on Wednesday.

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.

Her family is currently raising funds to cover the 25-year-old’s funeral expenses, you can donate here.