Domestic violence victim Teresa Bradford’s family hold second year anniversary vigil on Gold Coast
The family of domestic violence murder victim Teresa Bradford have marked the second anniversary of her death with a vigil as her children revealed their heartbreak.
Crime and Court
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GOLD Coast woman Teresa Bradford should be about to graduate from nursing studies with her classmates — but instead her family are marking the second anniversary of her death.
The mother of four was brutally murdered by her estranged husband David Bradford in 2017, after he broke into her Pimpama home.
He took his own life after killing Teresa.
Her “kind spirit” would have seen her help many patients, her family told a close-knit gathering of family and friends at a candlelit vigil in Oxenford tonight.
The group of around 30 people gathered in Damian Leeding Memorial Park to remember Teresa’s life, and stand together against domestic violence.
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Her oldest son Brock, 19, spoke about losing both parents and said it was hard to accept.
“I love my mum and miss her, and I miss my dad as well — unpopular opinion but I hope you understand that,” he said.
“She would have graduated (from uni) soon, she liked helping people.
“She wanted to give us the best future she could.
“She would have tried her damn hardest for everyone she knew.”
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Teresa’s daughter, Emily, 14, who is top of her class and has just earned a middle school scholarship, said she knew her mother would be happy for her.
“I know I’d be doing her proud,” she said.
Teresa’s sister-in-law Narelle O’Brien said the family still felt the loss every day.
“It’s a tough time of year for us as a family and it’s something that we go through every day,” she said.
Ms O’Brien is still battling for legal reforms in Queensland to ensure there are tighter bail restrictions and stricter electronic monitoring to keep victims safer.
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“What I’d like to see is implemented with these ankle bracelets is also a bracelet for the victim that talks to the other one so that if they’re in proximity of each other it can let the victim know so they have a chance to run,” she said.
She met with policy makers in Brisbane last month and will meet with them again in February to discuss changes to legislation in Queensland.
Ms O’Brien is also in the process of establishing a charity in Theresa’s name to help connect domestic violence victims with local services.
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