Sarah Ristevski opens up about her mum Karen’s death and why she supports her killer dad
In an emotional first interview, Sarah Ristevski has opened up about the death of her mother Karen and why she continues to support her killer dad.
VIC News
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Sarah Ristevski has denied being involved in the death of her mother and defended her ongoing relationship with her killer dad behind bars, during her first public interview.
The 24-year-old graphic designer described the horror she felt from the moment her mum vanished from the family’s Avondale Heights home on June 29, 2016.
Eight months later the 47-year-old’s body was discovered in Mount Macedon bushland, decomposed.
Speaking publicly for the fist time Sarah told 60 Minutes she had nothing to do with the death and that she felt something was wrong the moment she came home to find her mum gone on that fateful day.
She also never suspected her father.
However, it was clear from early on the homicide squad had their suspicions that Boris Ristevski knew more than he was letting on.
“With the forensics people in the home, that scared me a little bit because when there’s powder everywhere, you don’t know what to think,” she said.
Despite the search Sarah said nothing came back positive in the forensics,” so she did not question her father.
Many months dragged on before Ristevski was charged when Sarah finally confronted him for the first time, but said he denied being involved.
However, in March last year Ristevski suddenly confessed to Ms Ristevski’s manslaughter just as he was due to go on trial.
Although, behind closed doors he still tells Sarah that he is innocent.
“I don’t know what to believe,” she said.
“I hate thinking about what’s happened and I’d rather think of the better times.
“I just feel I can’t move forward if I’m stuck in the past.”
Now estranged from her mother’s family because of the support for her dad, Sarah says he is now all that she has left.
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Defending the relationship she said “I’m not going to just give up on someone, especially my dad.
“I don’t want people to say that my dad didn’t love my mum or care.
“People don’t see the pain that I see when I go see him.
“He misses her every day.
“We loved her very much we still love my mum.”
Ristevski’s sentenced was increased from a maximum of nine years to 13 years in December. He will be eligible for parole after serving 10 years.