Sister-in-law of DV victim Teresa Bradford urges Gold Coasters to light purple candles for birthday

THIS Friday will mark domestic violence victim Teresa Bradford’s 41st birthday. Her sister-in-law is urging people to remember her by lighting purple candles and signing a petition.

Facebook image of Teresa Bradford. Pictures Facebook

ON Friday purple candles will be lit in honour of domestic violence victim Teresa Bradford.

​It will be almost five months since Teresa was brutally murdered by her estranged husband, David Bradford​ and it​ would have also been Teresa’s 41st birthday.

Teresa Bradford tragically died after being stabbed by her estranged husband. Pictures Facebook

On January 31 Ms Bradford was stabbed to death by Bradford after he broke into her Pimpama home she shared with her four children.

Sister-in-law Narelle O’Brien said she and her family were still struggling to come to terms with her death and were hoping a petition she had started would help to prevent future domestic violence.

Sister in law Narelle O'Brien, Darren O'Brien (brother of Teresa) coming to the press conference about the death of Teresa Bradford. Picture: supplied

“I have a petition going at the moment to implement mental health checks to be done for perpetrators of domestic violence,” she said.

“David was obviously mentally ill, we already knew the first time and instead of going through with a mental health plan ... he was pretty much dismissed on bail.

Flowers and candles placed during a vigil in front of the residence of Teresa Bradford's in Matas Drive where she died in a murder-suicide, Pimpama, Gold Coast. Photo: Regi Varghese

“If (we had) been listened to then maybe he wouldn’t have been able to get to Teresa.”

Ms O’Brien said she would like to see more psychologists and psychiatrists trained to pick up narcissistic tendencies in domestic violence offenders, as well as anger issues and depression.

Darren O'Brien, brother of Teresa Bradford is seen during a Public memorial service for Teresa Bradford at Allambe Gardens Memorial Gardens on the Gold Coast. (AAP Image)

She said​ the terrible tragedy that saw Teresa’s four children lose their mother and their father had impacted heavily on the family.​

She said Teresa’s eldest son, who lived with them, wasn’t coping well with the death of his mother.

“He’s not coping too well,” she said.

“We’re trying to do our best for him.”

Family and Friends at Teresa Bradford's funeral held at the Allambe Gardens at Nerang. Picture Mike Batterham

She said Teresa’s three other children lived with their grandmother.

Ms O’Brien said on Teresa’s birthday they would be visiting her grave and placing flowers there.