Widow of Byron Bay shark attack victim Paul Wilcox breaks silence: ‘I don’t blame the shark’

THE widow of Byron Bay shark attack victim Paul Wilcox has broken her silence.

Paul Wilcox with his wife Victoria.

THE widow of Byron Bay shark attack victim Paul Wilcox has broken her silence, saying: “I don’t blame the shark.”

Victoria Wilcox says she wants to stay in Byron despite the heartbreak of losing her husband of 24 years in last week’s attack, but cannot go back to the house they shared.

“I want to reach out to the Byron community,” Mrs Wilcox told the Byron Bay Echo.

“I don’t blame the shark, or the town or anyone. The beach is such a health-giver.”

Mr Wilcox, 50, died after being mauled by a suspected great white at Clarkes Beach on Tuesday. He was swimming only about 15m from shore when he died.

Newcastle lawyer Mark Hickey risked his life to bring Mr Wilcox to shore where he later died.

Contrary to media reports, Mrs Wilcox said she was not on the beach when the attack happened.

“Our daily ritual included a swim for Paul and a run to the lighthouse for me,” she said.

“I came to the beach after he didn’t turn up to where we had agreed to meet.

“As soon as I saw the police car on the beach, I ran towards it as I knew it was him.”

Mrs Wilcox is being supported by family and friends and a Byron Bay-based company is organising a memorial service.

Born in the UK, Mr Wilcox was a corporate trainer and author who founded a successful business called Refocus Learning. The couple had moved to the area around five years ago.

Donations are being sought to help Mrs Wilcox find a new home in Byron and to cover funeral expenses.