Shandee Blackburn murder: Victim’s mother tells of ‘utter desolation’

THE mother of murder victim Shandee Blackburn has spoken for the first time since her accused killer was found not guilty.

THE mother of Mackay murder victim Shandee Blackburn has spoken for the first time since her accused killer was found not guilty last month.

Vicki Blackburn paid tribute to her 23-year-old daughter at the Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group Awareness Day in Brisbane on Thursday.

Shandee was stabbed to death while walking home from work in February 2013.

She was just metres from her Boddington Street house.

Police charged Shandee’s former partner with her murder, but he was acquitted last month following a trial in Mackay.

Shandee Blackburn was fatally stabbed in Boddington Street in Mackay.

In a speech, Vicki said she wasn’t able to speak much about the case and instead spoke of the impact that Shandee’s death had had on her.

“Shandee did not have the power to survive and I do not have the power to change that,” she said.

“What was done cannot be undone. I do however have the power to survive. I will do battle each day with the consequences of on my family, my mind, my life, my confidence, my ability, my body, my emotions. On my very soul.

“Yes I am a victim, we are victims, but with the help and support of family, friends, QHVSG and our group in Mackay.

“I am also a survivor. We are survivors.”

Shandee Blackburn’s mother Vicki.

Vicki said it took her years to build the courage to write a Victim Impact Statement, because she felt “selfish” putting her feelings down on paper.

She held back tears as she spoke about the challenges her and her family has faced each day since Shandee’s death.

“Some days are almost impossible to get through. Some days are easier,” Vicki said.

“Tears and utter desolation are a mere thought or moment away. Let no one have any doubts. We have been, we are and will be impacted every single day.

“Each and every person who has been touched by homicide, will continue be feel the impact in some way, for the rest of our lives. That is the plain truth.

“And we have to deal with that impact in some way each and every day for as long as we live. It does not go away, it will not go away.”

More than 20 witnesses were called during the trial.