Samantha Fraser death: Former patients pay tribute to the murdered Cowes mum
DEVASTATED patients of murdered Cowes mum Samantha Fraser have left heartbreaking tributes to the psychologist, with one moving tribute reading: “You saved me. I wish I could have saved you.”
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SAMANTHA Fraser’s psychology patients have been left shattered by her death, with heartbreaking tributes placed at her memorial.
One handwritten letter said they felt “safe” with the murdered mum of three, writing: “You saved me. I wish I could have saved you.”
GRIEVING FRIENDS: COWES MUM LET DOWN BY SYSTEM
“You made everything small thing I did a huge achievement. You gave me the tools to fight my demons and succeed in life,” it read.
“I felt the most broken and weak, I didn’t want to believe it when I found out your life had been taken.
“I thought ‘Sam wouldn’t want me to feel like this’. I am going to live my life in the hope to make you proud.”
It is understood she was due to meet a client for a midday appointment the day of her murder but she never made it.
Other patients have spoken of their grief at the sudden loss of Ms Fraser, and associates of her ex-husband have said they were concerned about his behaviour and believed he used her phone to track her movements.
Former friends of Adrian Basham, 41, a person of interest in his estranged wife’s murder, said he was a “control freak” who had become increasingly erratic after the breakdown of his marriage.
On Tuesday friends of the slain mother of three had white ribbons tattooed to their arms in a show of unity against domestic violence.
Floral tributes have been left at the mother of three’s house with touching notes from locals who knew her.
And new pictures showed the caring and devoted mother with her children.
But former friends of Mr Basham said his behaviour toward Ms Fraser, 38, became so “full on” they ceased contact with him.
“He was just losing it,” a former friend told the Herald Sun. “He was always on edge and then he’d turn.”
He would “ark up” on the phone with her and tracked her by her phone, they said.
Mr Basham’s friends and associates have distanced themselves from him, saying his behaviour became more concerning after the 2017 marriage split.
The friends spoke as white ribbons were tied around the cypress trees which line the road into Cowes in honour of Ms Fraser.
Patrice Mahoney said her white ribbon tattoo would be a lifelong reminder of her friendship with Ms Fraser, who lived for her children.
“I admired her. She never said a bad word about anyone,” she said.
“She was always present in a conversation and a devoted mum.”
Mr Basham is facing serious criminal charges involving his ex-wife.
A court suppressed the details on Monday after his lawyers argued he feared for his safety because of publicity surrounding her death.
Her body was found in the garage of her home last week.
Police initially believed it was a suicide but later turned the case over to the Homicide Squad.
Ms Fraser had plotted her escape from Mr Basham with domestic violence workers who urged her to relocate to a refuge.
She went to drastic lengths to secure her home and had her parents move in for protection and to avoid disrupting her children’s lives.
Authorities warned Mr Basham from entering Phillip Island after his ex-wife allegedly begged for protection. But he was seen in town in the months before her death.
Friends say she begged police for help and feel let down by the justice system.
The investigation into Ms Fraser’s death is ongoing.
1800 RESPECT is a 24/7 national crisis support line.
