Model Megan Gale has spoken for the first time since the shock passing of her brother Jason in July
After two months of silence, Megan Gale has spoken for the first time about her brother’s tragic passing in July — and why she had no choice but to make this heartbreaking decision.
Confidential
Don't miss out on the headlines from Confidential. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Megan Gale has spoken for the first time since her brother Jason Gale’s death in July, saying the past few months were “the hardest” of her life.
The Melbourne model mum of two revealed in an Instagram video on Monday night that it was a tough decision to go to her brother’s funeral in WA amid the uncertainty of COVID-19 restrictions, but would “regret” not going if she didn’t grieve with her close family after the huge shock of his loss.
Mr Gale, 49, was last seen at a petrol station on July 14 near Perth in Western Australia, and was found dead a week later in bushland southeast of Perth following a desperate week-long search by family, friends and police. The circumstances were not deemed suspicious.
“I couldn’t bear the thought, I knew I’d regret not going,” Gale said in her first post in over two months.
“I knew I’d regret not being there for my mum and my brother, so I went, ‘Okay, I’m just going to have to suck up whatever that is for me to be there’.”
Gale was unsure how long she would end up being away from her immediate family which complicated the decision.
During the 12-minute video she thanked her followers for their messages of support and assured everyone she was ok, but needed some time away.
She said she’d been through quite a bit that the “circumstances called for a bit of a break”.
“I thought I’d jump on and have a bit of a chat. It’s been probably the hardest couple of months of my life and I honestly have had no desire to post anything,’’ she said.
“Even this felt foreign to me.”
“What I’ve been through in recent times certainly wasn’t the most positive of experiences to document and I most certainly couldn’t fathom the thought of turning my circumstances into content.
“That just seemed so very wrong. To everyone who has messaged me in regards to my brother and asked if I’m ok, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
“I am fine. Not amazing, but doing ok. And so thankful for so much.”
Gale also revealed her concerns about drawing “more media attention” to her brother’s tragic death, by her attending his funeral.
“I guess being a public person, meant it was everywhere which comes with the territory, unfortunately,” she said.
“I had a very short period of time to make the decision (about the funeral).
“I had to weigh that up. Part of me wanted to stay in Melbourne and be with my kids and my man (Shaun Hampson) at that time when I needed comfort more than any other time in my life.
“But I also wanted to be in Perth to support my mum, my brother and the rest of my family, and play a part in sending my brother off and putting him to rest.”
She added: “I also knew by going to Perth that I would be responsible for risking there being more media attention and more focus on it, which I didn’t want to do.
“I already felt bad enough as it was that I’d been the cause of that.”
Gale joined mourners on August 18 to farewell her brother at his funeral, four weeks after his body was found in bushland.
She flew from Melbourne to Perth, where she completed two weeks of hotel quarantine, and travelled to Fremantle Cemetery for his cremation service.
She spent four weeks away from Hampson and their two young children, River and Rosie.
Gale said remembering gratitude had helped her get through the tough two weeks of quarantine during which she broke down.
If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636.
MORE NEWS:
GALE’S AGONY OVER BROTHER DEATH
GALE JOINS FAMILY IN PERTH TO FAREWELL BROTHER