Tributes for young Port Lincoln murder suicide victims Koda and Hunter Little and their family
DAMIEN Little wanted to be the “perfect” father and husband — but was secretly battling inner demons. His family paid the ultimate price, with his parents now begging people to seek help for mental health issues.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
DAMIEN Little wanted to be the “perfect” father to his two young sons and a dependable husband for his wife — who was his teenage sweetheart and best friend, his parents say.
But for the past three years, the seemingly loving Port Lincoln family man, 34, secretly battled inner demons as relatives and close friends noticed a change in his demeanour and personality.
Despite his family’s best efforts in urging him to seek help, the hardworking labourer, truckie and successful football player and coach succumbed to his mental illness this week.
In a tragic turn of events that has left his family devastated, and the nation reeling, Little died alongside his sons, Koda, 4, and 10-month-old Hunter, after he drove his white Ford station wagon from the main wharf of the Eyre Peninsula fishing town.
His grieving parents, Sue, 58 and Ken, 67, yesterday told The Advertiser of their distress after their son, a qualified carpet layer and experienced B-double petrol tanker driver, spiralled into a “dark” space from the fun-loving and “vibrant” young boy who grew up on a Port Kenny farm.
Speaking at their Port Lincoln home of 22 years — under a beaming picture of Koda and surrounded by other family photographs — Mrs Little urged others with depression, or any other mental illness, to seek help.
“He was a much-loved member of the community and very much loved by his family ... I just don’t think he realised how much people loved him,” said Mrs Little, who was being supported by her family including sons Nathan, 37, Shannon, 36, Kynan, 31 and Aaron, 29.
“He was very particular about everything he did. I think he wanted to be perfect — he wanted to be a perfect father and husband. He wanted to do everything right. He was very hard on himself. He wanted to live a perfect life.
“Over the past three years he had a bit of a problem, we had noticed a change. When we saw (it) the whole family tried to help him. He had a lot of people offering help. We tried to help him, we all did. But you can’t help somebody who can’t help himself.”
Mrs Little said the events of early Monday morning were unfathomable. She added: “He obviously wasn’t himself that day. No one will ever know why he did it. But he is our son and we loved him dearly.
“He was a beautiful kid, loving, caring. We are just broken. He had a wonderful relationship with his wife. She really is a wonderful lady and a wonderful wife to him. My heart goes out to her.
“She has lost everything. I never heard him say a bad word against her. They were amazing parents and she was one of the old-fashioned mothers, in the very best way.”
Victims’ Rights Commissioner Michael O’Connell said it was important not to speculate or jump to conclusions regarding the incident, and people should be careful not to victim-blame.
He said: “The investigation is ongoing; and it likely will ultimately reveal why this happened.”
Anyone experiencing personal difficulties can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au
May their little souls rest in peace
by Andrew Hough and Josephine Lim
SMILING for the camera, dressed casually in jeans and T-shirts, and looking relaxed as they sit on the golden sand, the beautiful young family is a picture of happiness.
In another poignant photograph, the eldest boy with rosy cheeks, sparkling eyes and a cheeky grin, proudly holds his smiling baby brother in his arms as they sit on a tree trunk.
They are delightful frames that would normally take pride of place on a mantle as lasting mementos.
But today, they are instead a tragic reminder of the hurt and devastation facing their families, and the wider community.
The portraits of an athletic Damien Little, 34, his wife Melissa, 30, and their two young sons, Koda, 4 and 10-month-old Hunter were released by the family on Tuesday after an apparent murder-suicide on Monday morning.
Little died alongside his sons after he drove his white Ford station wagon from the town’s main wharf about 6am. His car was travelling at up to 80km/h when it plunged off Brennan’s Wharf into Boston Bay.
Little’s family on Tuesday made an emotional visit to the growing shrine of tributes at the wharf, joining a steady stream of locals paying their quiet respects. Among the group were his parents, Sue, 58, and Ken, 67, four brothers Nathan, 37, Shannon, 36, Kynan, 31 and Aaron, 29, and other close relatives.
One note read: “My brother Damo Thank you for the memories you left me with. Please watch over me you have now left me here to kick all the goals bro. Forever flying, Shanno & Kyra.”
Shannon, who wept in front of the shrine to his brother and nephews, wrote in another note on a teddy bear: “Hunter, fly high you little man.
Watch over us all we will never forget you. Uncle Shannon and Aunty Kyra.” Among other tributes left between flowers, teddy bears and footballs were several handwritten cards.
“May their little souls rest in peace,” one read, while another said: “RIP little fellas 2 angels back in the loving arms of God. With deepest condolences to the family.” One card read “Dearest Koda & Hunter You are forever in our hearts and memories. Fly free sweet angels”, and another “Two precious boys forever loved and missed by everyone xxx”
Little’s parents also fondly remembered their grandchildren. Koda, they said, was a lively boy who was shortly about to start kindergarten, loved helping his father in the garden and around the family home. Friends also described one Monday night ritual, in which his sons would help take the bins out while on the back of his quadbike.
Ken Little, a retired truck driver and farmer, described his son as “very protective and very caring”. He told The Advertiser: “They were his life, his kids. You could not find better kids. Koda was really a lovely, chatty little boy.”
Little’s wife of almost nine years, known as Mel and a local school teacher, was being comforted by her family and friends yesterday.
The couple, who first dated after meeting at a local high school, married in March 2007 in Port Lincoln in front of 110 guests. They were planning to build their dream home on the town’s outskirts on a property that offers spectacular sea views.
Major Crime detectives are now among police investigating the “heartbreaking” circumstances, including a lengthy suicide note that Little posted to social media just minutes before the tragedy.
A report is being prepared for the coroner. A rifle with telescopic sight that was also recovered by police divers remains part of the investigation. It is not yet clear what its connection to the incident is.
Lincoln South Football Club president Brenton Dennis also paid tribute to his friend as a “very family oriented man and a really passionate and loyal person around the club”.
Little had played at the club, where he coached between 2008 and 2011, winning both A-grade and B-grade premierships before joining his four brothers at Elliston Football Club, where they played several B-Grade game together in 2012. “It surely puts some perspective in your life on what’s important and what’s not,” Mr Dennis said.
“The club is at a loss as to what’s happened. There will be tributes at a later stage, but for now we’ll just support the whole family.
“Our hearts and thoughts are with (Little’s wife) Mel and as a club we are behind both families one hundred per cent. As a club body we will do all we can to help ease their pain that’s going to be forever ongoing.”
Port Lincoln mayor Bruce Green said the community was still struggling to comprehend the tragedy.
“This is an exceedingly difficult time for friends and family,” Mr Green said.
Discussions were under way with Flinders Ports, which owns the commercial jetty, about maintaining the impromptu memorial, he added.
“As people think about what might be appropriate (in the longer term), this would give the community a chance for a lot of them to express their emotions and concerns,” he said.
— with Douglas Smith
Anyone with information is asked to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone experiencing personal difficulties can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au
Battle to save animals on the brink at Outback reserve
Conservationists are battling to save animals at an Outback reserve from the effects of the worst drought in recent memory, and have received a funding boost to redouble their efforts.
Country tradie to face court over incomplete work
A country tradesman will face the Elizabeth Magistrates Court over allegations he was not licenced and refused to refund money to clients.