Pregnant girlfriend of killed Easter Show worker Uati ‘Pele’ Faletolu keeps his memory alive at her baby shower
A young father killed before he got a chance to meet his newborn child has been honoured at his girlfriend’s baby shower.
NSW
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It’s a bittersweet family photograph: a pregnant woman standing beside an image of her murdered boyfriend, celebrating their baby.
But a brave Taylor Piliae, 19, promised she would do everything she could to make sure Uati Faletolu was always a part of their child’s life.
Uati, 17, was stabbed to death while working as a ride operator at the Sydney Easter Show on April 11.
In a photograph posted on social media, Ms Piliae is surrounded by balloons, decorations and photos of her boyfriend as she celebrated the baby’s impending arrival.
“Can’t wait to be a grandmother”, Ms Piliae’s mother wrote beneath one photo.
Ms Piliae was three months pregnant when Uati died.
Mourners at his funeral heard how he had left school to take on the job at the Show just to make money to support his new baby.
His mother Janice told mourners how Uati had recently returned to school, only to leave weeks later when he found out Ms Piliae was pregnant and he wanted to get a job to support his family.
He got a short-term contract at the show, helping to man the Break Dance ride.
“It was to save money for bub and Taylor,” his mother Janice Faletolu told the packed church.
Ms Piliae promised she would always make sure the baby knew how “amazing” Uati was.
“I wish I had 10 more minutes with you to tell you how much you’re appreciated. You would have been the best dad,” she told mourners at Hillsong Church.
“I promise I’ll take care of our baby.”
Three teenage boys, including a 14-year-old, were charged last week with Uati’s murder and refused bail.
Police will allege it was the 14-year-old who inflicted the fatal stab wound which killed Uati.
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