The War: Young Blood - Taylor Piliae opens up on Uati Faletolu’s death and new baby

Taylor Piliae is still getting over the Sydney Royal Easter Show stabbing death of her partner Uati Faletolu. Now, she must figure out how to tell her newborn son his dad died a senseless death in Sydney’s postcode gangs war.

Whenever Taylor Piliae stares at her baby boy, she remembers how excited his dad was to meet him.

Tragically, Uati Faletolu never got to meet his precious son, after the 17-year-old was stabbed to death in a horror attack at the Royal Easter Show.

Taylor was just three months pregnant when her partner died, but the couple had already talked about the best life they would give their little boy.

Now, Taylor is determined to honour that.

Jeziah-Rae Uati Piliae-Faletolu was born on October 27, his due date, after a trouble-free labour.

“His dad picked the name. He liked Jeziah, and then Rae is his dad’s cousin’s name,” Taylor said.

Taylor Piliae, 19, is learning to move on with her newborn son Jeziah-Rae Piliae-Faletolu. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Her eyes fill with tears at the thought of having to explain to her little boy what happened to his dad, but she knows one day it’s a conversation she will need to have.

In the meantime, Taylor said she will make sure Jeziah-Rae knows how wanted and how loved he was even before he was born.

“I’ll tell him his dad would’ve loved him more than anyone and share all the memories and stories about him,” she said.

And another thing she is certain of: “One hundred per cent he would have been a great dad.”

Uati Faletolu chose his son’s name. Baby Jeziah-Rae pictured at home with his mum Taylor Piliae. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Taylor said she is grateful to be surrounded by support from her dad and stepmum, and her sisters who are keen to help out as much as they can.

“(My) dad is amazing, every afternoon when he gets home from work he comes and gets the baby and gives him a bottle,” she said.

“And my sisters ask what time he wakes up so they can help with him.”

She plans to study while the baby is young, then go to work and support him so she can give her son the life she and Uati wanted.

“When he’s a bit older, I want to study midwifery … the midwives in the hospital were so amazing, and I love babies.”

A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help Taylor and Jeziah-Rae start their life together without Uati. Click here for details.

How Easter Show turned into tragedy

Uati Faletolu was on a break from his work on the “Break Dance” ride at the 2022 Sydney Royal Easter Show when he was involved in a fight, during which he was fatally stabbed - with the shocking attack caught on video and shared widely on social media.

Emergency service workers performed open heart surgery on Mr Faletolu as he lay dying among a sea of onlookers after a suspected ‘postcode war’ stabbing.

Taylor Piliae and Pele Faletolu were looking forward to the birth of their baby. Picture: Instagram

It took homicide investigators three months to lay charges over the stabbing after they were met with a ‘wall of silence’ during the investigation.

But in July, two Western Sydney brothers, aged 14 and 18 years old, and another man, also 18, were arrested and charged by police.

All three are facing murder charges, although it is the 14-year-old who police allege stabbed Mr Faletolu.

Mr Faletolu’s mother admitted her son’s death had left her “heartbroken” but she wanted him to be remembered as “the beautiful person that he was”.

One of the men charged in relation to Uati Faletolu’s death at the Easter Show. Picture: NSW Police

“We are heartbroken and this has been a difficult time for us as a family,” Janice Faletolu said.

“Uati was a happy, outgoing young man with a loving heart. He was a loyal friend, a caring brother, and a selfless son and partner.

“Even with the tragic circumstances surrounding Uati’s passing, we as a family do not want Uati remembered as a victim but to use this time to honour and celebrate the beautiful person that he was.

“The family would like to thank everyone as we have been overwhelmed with love, heartfelt messages, flowers, food and financial support. We are truly grateful for the generosity and kindness shown.

“The support has been a true blessing and has lightened the burden for us as we grieve our beloved Uati.

“Uati, we miss you so much and your loss is deeply felt. We are so proud of the young man you became and we will cherish every memory we have with you always. We LOVE you Uati.”