Courtney Herron’s heartbroken dad breaks his silence, cousin wants killer jailed for life
In the wake of Courtney Herron’s tragic passing, her grieving father has spoken out about his daughter’s untimely death.
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Slain Melbourne woman Courtney Herron’s father has released a statement describing her death as an unimaginable tragedy.
“Our beloved Courtney was the victim of a fatal assault,” John Herron said in a statement.
“My daughter’s death is an unimaginable tragedy for our family.”
He asked for privacy while the family grieves.
John Herron says his beloved daughter Courtney’s death is an unimaginable tragedy. He asks for privacy while he grieves. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/e2YxY6SyX8
— Tamsin Rose (@tamsinroses) May 29, 2019
It comes a day after Ms Herron’s cousin said he wanted her killer to “rot in hell”.
Tom Olymbios, 21, told the Herald Sun he hoped whoever killed her would be locked up with no chance of freedom.
“I hope the killer gets a life sentence with no parole. We want justice served,” he said.
Henry Hammond, 27, has been charged with the murder of Ms Herron, whose body was found near logs at Royal Park early on Saturday.
The pair left a city gathering together just hours before she was bludgeoned to death in a park, police say.
Mr Hammond’s family said on Tuesday their “hearts go out” to the 25-year-old’s grieving family and friends.
“Our family is in deep shock over the death of Courtney Herron,” they said.
“Our deepest sympathy and compassion goes out to Courtney’s family and friends on their heartbreaking loss.
“Henry Hammond grew up loved by his family and friends. For many years he has struggled with mental illness, more recently drug issues, and homelessness.”
Former classmates of Ms Herron at the exclusive Genazzano FCJ College in Kew on Tuesday shared photos of her as a “bubbly” teen.
“She used to make everyone laugh in classes that may have seemed so dull,” said school friend Chiara Mant.
“We are all distraught, especially my year level, at what has happened to Courtney.
“It should never have been like this. It shouldn’t have happened to anyone.”
Ms Herron briefly attended university, and last year worked in a pizza shop.
She had struggled with drug addiction for many years and had been couch-surfing before her death.
Her former boyfriend, Ahmet Ozkurt, said he tried to protect her. Her family also supported her and put her into rehabilitation.
“She would hang out with bad people. People who used drugs and used her,” he said. “They would call her and invite her to use drugs together.
“I was trying to stop them contacting her. One time I took her phone and gave her mine to use. She was not a bad girl. She was a good girl,” he said.
“She didn’t deserve this.”
Ms Herron’s death has shocked the nation and prompted renewed calls for action to tackle violence against women.
Video emerged of Mr Hammond in a 2018 Footy Show segment filmed in Melbourne’s Hosier Lane in which he claims he is a shaman.
New Labor leader Anthony Albanese on Tuesday backed a national domestic violence summit, saying: “It is an outrage that women don’t feel safe at night”.
Friends and strangers have donated more than $10,000 to Ms Herron’s family online.
Her memory will be honoured at a public vigil at Royal Park from 5pm on Friday.