Cullen Bay Day Spa owner claims ‘sugar addiction’ behind Nightcliff grocer’s alleged murder

The community has been outraged after the owner of a Darwin spa posted a video claiming sugar addiction was behind the alleged murder of a beloved grocer. WATCH THE VIDEO.

A Top End business owner whose video claiming sugar addiction was behind the alleged murder of a beloved Nightcliff grocery store owner, has done a surprising backflip and posted an apology.

Owner of Cullen Bay Day Spa Marii Oblescuk filmed herself standing at the memorial site outside the Nightcliff Friendly Grocer and claimed the alleged murder of Linford Feick had been committed because the accused was “addicted to sugar”.

In the video, she claimed she was trying to “raise awareness” about sugar being a “toxin”.

She posted the video to the day spa’s Facebook page on Thursday afternoon, less than 24 hours after Mr Feick’s death.

Eighteen year old Phillip Parry has been charged with murder over Mr Feick’s death.

It is alleged he was stealing items in the store when the 71-year-old owner confronted him.

Ms Oblescuk’s first video was in response to unproven speculation from some in the community that the item included a bottle of soft drink.

“We can point the finger at the judicial system, the government for not being tougher on crime, but the root cause was this kid was addicted to sugar,” Ms Oblescuk said.

The video, which has now been deleted, was viewed more than 35,000 times and posted across multiple local Facebook groups.

Cullen Bay Day Spa owner Marii Oblescuk caused a stir online, blaming sugar addiction for the murder of Nightcliff business owner Linford Feick

She went on to claim sugar was a “toxin” that impacted the brain, and compared its effects to those of teenagers who play video games.

The initial video sparked a firestorm online, with residents overwhelmingly criticising Ms Oblescuk’s comments.

They said the video was poorly timed and inappropriate.

Ms Oblescuk doubled down on the Cullen Bay Day Spa Instagram page, commenting on a 2023 post by Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, telling people to “wake up and stop companies from killing us with their toxic products”.

She made further claims that sugar and energy drinks were “killing people and causing trauma to the rest of the community”.

A social media user hit back once more at Ms Oblescuk’s claims.

“Take your sugar debate elsewhere, someone’s life has just been taken and a family AND a community are mourning the loss due to this tragic event. How dare you,” they commented.

In a backflip, Ms Oblescuk on Saturday posted a video apologising for the first video.

“From the bottom of my heart, I did not mean to disrespect anyone,” she said.

Ms Oblescuk said the legal system was “letting us down”, and said she intended to write to the Chief Minister with alternative solutions.

She also said people were dealing with trauma and urged people to forgive and work together.

“We’re not perfect, I’m also going through menopause, and could go through brain fog a few times, and not remember what I’m saying or be as coherent as I want to be,” she said.

“I’m sorry, I did not mean to offend anyone and please find it in your heart to forgive, and so we can move on and find a solution and rebuild our territory.”

Ms Oblescuk told the NT News her message was to try to “inspire positive change”, and that she was trying to present alternative solutions to crime in the Territory.

“We have a responsibility (as business owners) to protect our staff and customers.

Ms Oblescuk has previously courted controversy for opposing the NT Government’s vaccine mandates in 2022, even joining a Supreme Court challenge as a plaintiff.

Originally published as Cullen Bay Day Spa owner claims ‘sugar addiction’ behind Nightcliff grocer’s alleged murder