Decapitation horror: Mother’s worried messages about daughter before alleged murder
A western Sydney mother who was allegedly decapitated by her daughter Jessica Camilleri sent a series of worried texts to a family friend in the months leading up to her death. Read the messages. WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT.
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WARNING: Graphic content
A St Clair mother who was decapitated sent a series of messages to a friend voicing her worry about the daughter who is now accused of killing her and her troubles with a man.
Rita Camilleri told family friend Cory Rickard-Simms in a Facebook message she had warned her daughter she would end up in a mental health hospital again if she didn’t stop trying to contact the man and she needed to “shape up and smarten up”.
“ … I told her if I were you I would not be mucking around with this d**khead ever again otherwise it is going to be her own grave she will be digging,” Rita wrote in one message.
Jessica Camilleri, 25, is charged with murdering her mother Rita Camilleri, 57, at the family home in St Clair between 11pm and 11.30pm on Saturday night.
She didn’t apply for bail at Parramatta Bail Court today, telling a magistrate that she couldn’t wash the blood off herself because she couldn’t move her fingers properly.
She also asked the magistrate if she could be taken to a hospital emergency department.
In what police describe as one of the most “horrific” crime scenes they have attended, Mrs Camilleri’s body was found in her kitchen, and her head was found several houses down the street, outside a neighbour’s yard.
During the online conversation with Mr Rickard-Simms, Rita said she had told Jessica she was “playing with fire” by being a relationship with the man.
“She is now very scared of the grave she will be digging for herself if she continues to go down that road.”
In March, Rita wrote about how she had called an ambulance for Jessica.
“She needs to wake up to herself because if she doesn’t the police officer who came to my house with the ambulance told me if we find ourselves back here and have to come back out to the house for this matter this time she won’t be so lucky.
“I said to her [she needs] to stop this and let go of this guy”.
Earlier that year on January 31, Mr Rickard-Simms wrote to Jessica that she needed to be careful with the man.
“Jess please be careful about that guy it’s really not worth it the consequences of that could be devastating for you like ending up back in hospital and I know you don’t want that.”
Jessica wrote back to him that she wanted the man to “rot” but she had to think things through.
“My mum said I don’t know what the f**k your (sic) worrying about he is not even good looking he is a ugly d**khead you are worrying and wasting your days and time wanting to get even with that ugly pig.”
BAIL COURT
In bail court, Jessica Camilleri was ordered to undergo a medical assessment at Nepean District Hospital and was transported to the hospital from Amber Laurel Correctional Centre.
Camilleri appeared in court via video link and spoke to Magistrate Michael Price.
“I really need medical attention. I told all the officers and told the police at the station,” she told the court.
“I cannot move my fingers properly because of the incident. I am not fit to come to jail until I get cleaned up.
“I could not wash myself properly in the shower to get all the blood off because of my fingers.”
Camilleri told the court she had borderline autism, bipolar, mental health issues, depression and anxiety.
She was ordered to appear before Penrith Court after her medical assessment.
SUNDAY MORNING
At a media conference on Sunday morning, police said neighbours reported hearing guttural screams late on Saturday night, coming from the kitchen of the family home in St Clair, in Sydney’s West, after a row allegedly erupted between Camilleri and her mother
The pair are believed to have argued before tensions escalated and the situation became violent.
Police allege Jessica Camilleri, who worked part time as a cashier at Kmart in Mt Druitt, used several knives when she launched her bloodied attack.
Ms Camilleri’s head was dumped on a neighbour’s footpath two doors down on St Clair Ave.
A young child was being babysat in the house at the time.
When police arrived on the scene about 11.40pm they arrested Jessica Camilleri in a yard near her mother’s decapitated head.
The rest of Ms Camilleri’s body was found in the kitchen.
Knives believed to have been used in the incident were taken by police to be forensically examined.
Several crime scenes were established inside and outside the home.
Police officers said the family involved was known to them.
Nepean Police Area Commander, Detective Superintendent Brett McFadden, said officers were receiving counselling from psychologists after finding the decapitated head on the neighbour’s footpath.
“There are things police are required to do on a day-to-day basis but this is one of the most horrific and distressing scenes,” he said. “Police received a call from neighbours.”
Mr McFadden said police would allege an argument occurred which became violent.
“The family is distraught, this was unforeseen, we’re aware of the family but where was no information this situation in the family home was likely to occur.
“We allege a number of knives were used.”
Officers and forensic experts were this morning combing the house and neighbours’ properties for clues to piece together exactly what happened.
Police have established Strike Force Comeroy to investigate the death.
REACTION
Neighbour Rajinder Kaur said she came home overnight to find police and a blue tarpaulin “outside our door”.
“I don’t understand, they were so close, they were so close, they have a parrot they share and love and were always in a red car together.”
“We came home and there were police with torches searching the street and house, there was something under blue tarpaulin outside our door.”
Another neighbour said a child inside the house was crying as he was led out by police.
“He couldn’t speak, he was crying and shaking and looked completely shocked,” the neighbour said
Jessica’s best friend said she has been in and out of mental health hospitals.
“I saw Jess and her mum the night before, they were fine and laughing,” the friend said.
“Jess has serious mental health issues.”
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