THE HEARTBROKEN son of slain mother Rebecca Walker wants her killer to be remembered as “trash”, worthy of only a “garbage bin”.
Townsville mother of three Rebecca Walker, 46 was found dead by her five-year-old son alongside the boy’s father Shane Jackson, 48 in her Gulliver home on December 22.
At this stage, detectives are treating the death of Ms Walker as a suspected murder suicide and are working to understand the relationship between the pair, including any history of domestic violence.
The devastating loss sent shockwaves through the community after the young boy made the grim discovery, before alerting family members, including his older brother Isaiah Walker who told the Bulletin his mother “was too good” for the “weak human being” Mr Jackson was.
The 22 year old said he refused to show hatred towards his mother’s alleged killer and believed karma would be served.
Mr Walker said his mother had been in an “on again, off again” relationship with his brother’s father for six years, where he found him to be “constantly picking fights and trying to intimidate him and his sister”.
“I don’t know what his problem was, he wasn’t nice to us and he didn’t like my grandmother and would talk badly about her,” he said.
“He was disrespectful, always trying to start fights and intimidate me but I was never scared of him and I’m not a big or hard man, but I don’t like disrespectful people.
“The man had dreads and I don’t know what he’s into but I never understood the racial slurs and calling me a black pig, he called my sister sideshow bob and other names.”
DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE SUPPORT SERVICES:
1800 Respect national helpline 1800 737 732
Women’s Crisis Line 1800 811 811
Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491
Lifeline (24 hour crisis line) 131 114
Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
Mr Walker said while everyone continued to grieve for Rebecca, he didn’t want the atrocities and horrible man Jackson was to be forgotten.
“I felt like he was trying to remove us (Rebecca’s family) through his anger tendencies, I could see, and feel the tense energy in the room every time he was around,” he said.
“I’d spoken about him to my mum and wanted my own explanation of why she was with him and so she kept me out of the loop.
“I think of him as trash, a weak human being, unfit for the role of a man.”
Mr Walker said the family was still struggling to come to terms with the loss of Rebecca but wanted to focus on the wellbeing of his younger brother who was now in the care of his grandmother, but planned to “be the father” his younger brother deserved.
He said the little boy has shared very little of what he saw on the day, but now refused to be alone and was more affectionate and wanting cuddles from family after the horrific trauma.
“I look after him mostly and help with my grandmother until I can get my situation sorted to man up and handle the responsibility as an older brother,” he said.
“You don’t really think you’re ever going to be involved in a situation like this but it hasn’t really sunk in.
“My Grandmother is coping but she’s not doing okay and if anyone’s been affected the most I think it’s been her.”
RESPONDERS OFFER HELP
Domestic Violence responders are urging families to reach out for support, as statistics show significant increases in calls for help over the Christmas holidays period.
North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Service CEO Mandy Thomas has pleaded with people to keep their behaviour in check.
“We just need to remember what’s important and especially at Christmas time, it should be about what’s important and it should be spending time with those you love,” Ms Thomas said.
“Services like ours are always concerned about safety as the holidays are a time for people to come together, but also brings extra pressures around expectations and gift giving.
“Situations can get out of control really quickly so we’re just asking people to be aware of their surroundings and their behaviour.
“All of these things can create addition stress and we always see a spike in instances.
“Certainly extreme heat, alcohol and other drug consumption does not help unsafe situations.”
Ms Thomas said the most important thing for people to know was that support was available.
“Services like NQDVRS will be here to provide safety and emergency services in anyway we can,” she said.
“If you’re a person that uses violence, try and think about how your behaviour is affecting those around you and reach out for help by ringing MensLine, Lifeline.
“The most important thing is for people to know there are services available, DV Connect is available 24 hours a day and of course if anyone is in an emergency then the best thing is to call triple-0.
As the community still struggles to comprehend the senseless death of Rebecca Walker in a suspected murder suicide on Tuesday, Ms Thomas said she and her colleagues are working hard to avoid another tragedy.
“Myself and my staff have been deeply impacted by the loss of Ms Walker and feel this is going to double our efforts to try and eliminate preventable deaths.
“After the devastation we have see this week, we are urging people to please reach out for help and do not suffer in silence.”
*If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or triple-0 in an emergency.
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