Princes Park murder accused Jaymes Todd’s family, school peers speak
THE father of Jaymes Todd says the teenager’s family is “as appalled as the rest of society” over Eurydice Dixon’s death as the accused murderer’s shocked school peers recall a smart young man subjected to bullying taunts but who could excel when he put his mind to it.
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE father of accused murderer Jaymes Todd says the teenager’s family is “as appalled as the rest of society” over Eurydice Dixon’s death.
Jason Todd said he wanted to offer condolences to Ms Dixon’s family.
‘It’s indescribable,” he said. “It’s a very hard time for me and the family, and I feel greatly for Eurydice’s family and friends and offer my condolences.
COMMUNITY REELS DROM EURYDICE DIXON’S TRAGIC DEATH
EURYDICE ‘FOLLOWED BY KILLER AFTER BAR SHOW’
POLICE TO BOOST PATROLS IN CARLTON NORTH AREA
‘There is nothing I can do to change it or make it better, but I wish there was.
“That comes from our whole family — we’re as appalled as the rest of society about what happened to her.”
Mr Todd said Jaymes lived at home with his parents and two brothers.
“I know nothing about what happened, I haven’t even seen him yet and I’ve got nothing to tell you.”
All who knew the Todds have described them as a good and loving family.
A photograph of Mr Todd’s son at his Meadows Primary School graduation eight years ago shows him costumed like a little gentleman.
Wet hair combed to frame his chubby cheeks and chest proud in a black button-down shirt, tie and a pair of bright white shoes — all scrubbed up to celebrate a step into adulthood.
He has grown big since his mum took that picture at his Meadows Primary School graduation eight years ago.
And now he’s in a very different kind of frame, a man accused of committing the worst crimes against a woman found dead in Carlton North.
While hearts were breaking on a dark day in Melbourne for bright young comedian Eurydice Dixon, taken by a senseless act of sexual violence, the ripple effect of the alleged rape and murder extended to the suspected killer’s community, too.
Close family declined to comment but extended relatives told the Herald Sun they had been “disgusted” as news of the teen’s arrest spread by hushed calls and texts — the allegations so disturbing they were difficult to say out loud.
School peers from Hume Central Secondary College recalled a smart young man who could excel when he put his mind to it. They said that he had been subjected to bullying taunts and left school before finishing year 12.
“You hear about these stories and you don’t think it can be,” one relative said.
“It's a shock … you just have to feel for the victim.”
A family friend said: “I just can’t believe it.”
“Who would do this?”
TEEN ACCUSED OF KILLING COMEDIAN FRONTS COURT
They said Mr Todd had always been unassuming and while intelligent he could also be lazy.
They weren’t aware of any reason he would need to travel into the city midweek, nor did he have a car, they said.
The teen is the second of three brothers and lives with his parents in a rundown brick house with an overgrown and messy yard, in a street home to a mix of families, migrant grandparents and 20-something workers.
All who knew the Todds describes them as a good and loving family.
One man who has known Mr Todd for 12 years said the family was a little rough but had always been “ripper people”.
“Jaymes is really quiet,” he said.
“His mum used to always say he was the smartest of the three.
“His mates come over … he says hi and bye and has a chat, always polite.
“I just can’t believe it.”
Neighbours are used to seeing Mr Todd riding his skateboard around the street “just like a normal kid”.
In the wake of the devastating crime, across Melbourne nothing is normal.