Vigil held outside Tweed school for schoolgirl Charlise Mutten
A woman claiming to be a cousin of slain schoolgirl Charlise Mutten says her family ‘silenced’ her speaking on the heart-breaking loss of the ‘innocent’ girl.
Gold Coast
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A woman claiming to be a cousin of slain schoolgirl Charlise Mutten says her family “silenced” her from speaking on the heartbreaking loss of the “innocent” girl who had a “long life ahead”.
Mellese Hensby took to social media to share a tribute for the Tweed schoolgirl, whose body was found near a Blue Mountains River.
“As the cousin of Charlise I feel silenced no more. I have been made to be silenced and I shall not stand for that,” Ms Hensby said.
“I feel I should be (allowed) to say my piece and being told by my family to suppress it and not say anything about being related, I shall no longer stand for.”
Ms Hensby made the statement as hundreds gathered outside the gates of Tweed Heads Public School in a candlelit vigil for Charlise on Wednesday night.
The woman said there were many unanswered questions around what happened to the “sweet” and “innocent” schoolgirl who had a “long life ahead”.
“There is so many questions we have and are waiting impatiently to get as this case moves further,” Ms Hensby said.
“We will get answers. We will know and we will remember you forever and ever.
“I am absolutely devastated about this and so mind blown on how someone could do this.
“I’ll always rememeber you and I hope justice gets served. I am beyond proud to have known you in this life and to have you a part of my family as well as being my only girl cousin.”
Justin Stein has been charged with murder after Charlise disappeared while holidaying in the NSW Blue Mountains.
Her remains were found in a barrel after she went missing from Mount Wilson on Friday, sparking a five-day search and an investigation which was taken over by the Homicide Squad.
Tributes for Charlise were continuing to grow at the gates of Tweed Heads Public School as mourners paid their respects to the “beautiful and gentle” little girl.
The Tweed residents said the community was in a state of grief on Thursday after an emotional candelit vigil for the much-loved nine year old the night before.
Tweed Deputy Mayor Reece Byrnes described the loss as “truly tragic”.
“It’s fair to say that the community and in particular, Charlise’s school friends, teachers and family must be feeling an immense sense of loss and tragedy,” Cr Byrnes said.
“That pain was certainly felt and expressed at the vigil.”
‘Rest easy beautiful angel’: Tears for Charlise at candlelit vigil - January 19
Children wept in their mothers’ arms as family and friends remembered the beautiful, gentle and loving spirit of a Tweed schoolgirl whose body was found near a Blue Mountains river.
Hundreds of community members gathered outside the gates of Tweed Heads Public School in a candlelit vigil for nine-year-old Charlise Mutten on Wednesday night.
Mourners at the vigil were handed cards adorned with Charlise’s favourite animal, the butterfly, and the following message: “A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam, and for a brief moment its glory and beauty belong to our world: but then it flies again.
“And though we wish it could have stayed, we feel so lucky to have seen it.”
Justin Stein has been charged with murder after the girl disappeared while holidaying in the NSW Blue Mountains.
Her remains were found in a barrel after she went missing from Mount Wilson on Friday, sparking a five-day search and an investigation which was taken over by the Homicide Squad.
Former Tweed Heads Public School captain Nicole Treloar told mourners gathered at the vigil that the heart-wrenching occasion “should not be happening”.
She said the “beautiful and gentle” little girl had been taken far too soon.
Charlise has been remembered as a happy child, an enthusiastic learner and a sweet girl who was kind to others and lit up every room she entered.
School teacher Sophie Cutler described her as having a “love for learning”.
“Charlise was universally loved by everyone at the school,” Ms Cutler said.
“Her enthusiasm, positivity and warm, gentle, bubbly personality made our school a much better place.”
School volunteer Robyn Kuhr remembered Charlise regularly visiting the school canteen to buy her favourite jelly cup treats during lunchtime.
“I just don’t understand how a person could do this to her,” a devastated Ms Kuhr said.
“She was so well-mannered - just a beautiful girl.”
Mourners, including Currumbin MP Laura Gerber, placed candles at the school gates after holding a minute’s silence.
A pile of toys, flowers and cards sit on the footpath outside the school.
“Rest easy beautiful angel. You are so loved,” one card said.
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