Mary Benedito’s family speaks out ahead of landmark domestic violence report

The family of Mary ‘Mama’ Benedito, allegedly murdered by her ex-partner, are distraught the much-loved mother was robbed of the chance to see her baby boy grow up.

The family of alleged domestic violence victim Mary Benedito says the much-loved mother was robbed of ever being able to see her baby boy walk or talk.

Ms Benedito’s family spoke out as the Queensland Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce was expected to release its landmark first domestic and family violence report on Thursday.

The 25-year-old, who was called Mama by those closest to her, was allegedly strangled and left unconscious by her ex-partner in a Southport unit on Saturday.

She died at Gold Coast University Hospital two days later, surrounded by loved ones, after her life support was switched off.

Mary Benedito. Picture: Supplied

Ms Benedito’s cousin, who wished not to be named, said her large family had been left “distraught” by Mama’s death and were now focused only on giving her 11-month-old son the best life they could.

“Our family is distraught,” he said.

“Mama was a fighter and the strongest person I knew. We are grieving so deeply for her, words can’t express it. But we need to stay strong for her baby, as that is what she would want from us.”

Ms Benedito moved to Queensland from Auckland in 2015 with her mother, who tragically died from cancer on November 19.

Mary Benedito’s family say they are staying strong for her 11-month-old son.

She welcomed her son in December last year and her family said she was excited to teach him the Maori culture and language, but would tragically never get the chance.

“She’s been robbed from experiencing any of her baby’s first things, how to walk to talk and hear ‘I love you’ from him,” Ms Benedito’s cousin said.

“She’s been robbed of all the beautiful experiences a mother should have.”

A GoFundMe page has been established by Ms Benedito’s family to raise money for her son.

Ms Benedito’s ex-partner Reo Te Whetu Marama Marsh, 34, was later arrested in Oxley and has been charged with her murder.

He had also allegedly taken their 11-month-old son, prompting an amber alert to be issued by authorities.

The Queensland Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce – led by former Court of Appeal president Margaret McMurdo AC – will on Thursday release its report into how the state can legislate against coercive control.

The taskforce has received more than 700 submissions from women since March when it was formed to examine domestic and sexual violence victims’ experiences in the criminal justice system.