Teen’s bushland death another life lost in a community too familiar with grief
As the Wollondilly community reeled from the shocking death of a teenager named Isaac, a memorial garden was unveiled in their midst: a tribute to five teens already tragically lost.
NSW
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The timing was chilling but therapeutic in equal measure: As the Wollondilly community reeled from the shocking death of a teenager named Isaac, a memorial garden was unveiled in their midst.
The “Reflection Walk”, built on the Picton to Tahmoor Shareway, has been two years in the making. A sensitively curated tribute to the five young lives lost in the Buxton crash in September 2022.
Eerily, the official opening of the memorial on Wednesday — which had been months in the planning — came when it was needed most.
The death of 15-year-old Isaac on Friday night while camping in the bush with about a dozen mates, has hit the community hard.
Many of Isaac’s friends from Picton High School were mates, too, with the Buxton crash victims.
And so there, among the brightly coloured benches to remember Lily Van De Putte, 14, Summer Williams, 15, Gabriella McLennan, 14, Antonio Desisto, 16, and Tyrese Bechard, 15, Isaac’s friends found comfort.
Wollondilly Shire Council Mayor Matt Gould said the death of Isaac was another senseless loss of a young life that the community had to deal with.
“Sadly our community is all too familiar with tragedies, but we are incredibly resilient, and the thing I love the most is that we pull together,” Mr Gould said.
Isaac had finished a day at school last Friday, when, at about 5pm, he and a group of mates set off from Wilton Park Rd to a makeshift campsite at Maldon Weir.
Local sporting club chef Jacob Greig, 32, had finished his shift at work around 9pm, and met up with a woman who was not his eight-month pregnant wife, a court heard.
The pair drove into the bush, and spent about 20 minutes parked on the side of the road, before what police allege was a fatal encounter with Isaac.
A ring camera on the front gate of a nearby house captured the car start to drive off slowly, when Isaac walks out onto the roadway and approaches it.
The teen had walked to the road to escort two mates who were not staying overnight and were being picked up by relatives.
According to a police statement of facts tendered to court, the CCTV shows Isaac grab at a front and rear door handle, before one falls off.
Why he grabbed at the car doors will never be known.
NSW Police said the group had been drinking. They are awaiting toxicology results to see if Isaac had consumed drugs or possibly hallucinogens.
According to the police facts sheet, Greig allegedly jumped from the passenger seat, carrying a torch and a meat cleaver, and began to threaten Isaac.
As the feud escalated, police allege Greig slashed the boy on the inner arm, causing him to bleed profusely.
Isaac, while begging for a lift home, then allegedly jumps onto the car roof before it speeds off and he’s left for dead on the road, the court documents state.
His body was discovered the following morning by mates as they headed out of the bush to make their way home.
Parramatta Local Court Magistrate Robert Rabbidge said there was “nothing more serious than the alleged murder of a 15-year-old boy”.
“The accused has decided to leave the victim to lie in a secluded area … left to die,” Mr Rabbidge said.
For residents on that stretch of road, it’s the second significant tragedy in recent years, after a skydiving accident in 2017 where two men’s bodies were found in a front yard.
Mr Gould said the area is a popular recreational spot for locals, and camping there is “absolutely” something teens do.
“The end of that road is a very well-known camping and fishing place. It is really common for teenagers, or young people, to hang out there or have a night there.”
In three weeks time, Isaac should be turning 16. Learners plates should be on the family car, a right of passage for kids reaching the milestone.
But instead, his family is preparing a funeral service.
Family friend Donna Young who set up at Go Fund Me to help raise funds for Isaac’s send off described the teenager as a “kind-hearted son, brother and friend”.
More than $27,000 has been raised so far.
“Isaac’s family never imagined they would be in a position like this, and their strength and love for Isaac is unwavering, but they need the support of their community during this incredibly difficult time,” Ms Young said.
At the school, support staff who are no strangers to helping students through tragedy, sprung to action in the wake of Isaac’s death.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of a Picton High School student and offer our care and condolences to the family and loved ones,” a Department of Education spokesperson said.
“Additional counsellors are at the school to support the family, students, staff, and the school community through this difficult time. This support will be ongoing.”
Mr Gould said in time, the council will work with Isaac’s family to offer whatever support they need. Another seat could be added to the new memorial, if that’s what they choose.
“I hope this will be a fitting tribute to celebrate the lives of those we lost and provide their friends and family somewhere they can reflect, as well as being a lasting reminder to them that the Wollondilly community cares about them and continues to have their backs in whatever way they need it,” Mr Gould said.
Greig will spend Christmas in jail on remand, and is due to face court on January 8.
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