Friend haunted after ‘strangled’ mum dies in hospital after being attacked in her home

UPDATED: Friends of a young mum who was allegedly strangled this week fear they will never know what led to the tragedy.

A CLOSE friend of a woman allegedly strangled and suffocated by her ex-partner says her loved ones may “never know or understand” what led to her death.

Blair Dalton’s family turned off her life support last night, three days after she was taken to Gosford Hospital with critical injuries after an alleged attack by her former boyfriend Lance Michael Pearce on Tuesday night.

Pearce, 34, was found by police at the Ettalong Beach home and charged with attempted murder by suffocation. Police said the charge was likely to be upgraded to murder.

Ms Dalton, 35, and Pearce have a young son together, and he is father to three other children with another woman, Donna Welsh — who counted Ms Dalton as a good friend.

Ms Welsh wrote online of the devastation she and her children felt at the beautician’s death and the arrest of Mr Pearce.

“Shell shocked, words can’t describe the heartache and confusion in processing this horrific and incomprehensible feeling we are all feeling right now,” she wrote.

She said Ms Dalton’s son had lost his “rock, his hero, his mother, his absolute everything — for what reason we may never know and understand”.

Ms Welsh’s Facebook post said she left behind “4 innocent souls”.

Lance Michael Pearce, 34, has been charged with attempted murder of Blair Dalton, 35.

She added: “My 3 kids and I will always see you as their step-mamma and no one will replace the memories they will forever hold of you. Your love for them was never doubted or thrown under the rug.”

Ms Dalton’s father Robert Dalton confirmed his daughter’s death in a heartbreaking Facebook post.

“Our beautiful Blair who is always helping others will today continue on this path when the transplanting of her organs begin. RIP our best friend,” the post read.

Pearce looked distressed when he appeared briefly at Gosford Local Court charged with one count of attempted murder by suffocation.

Dressed in white forensics overalls, he could be heard saying “no, no” and “is she all right, she has to be all right?” from the dock, before a magistrate ordered the 34-year-old undergo a psychiatric assessment.

His Legal Aid solicitor did not enter any pleas and the matter was adjourned to November 24.

Ms Dalton shared the home she was attacked in with her young child. Devastated friends left tributes on her Facebook page.

Ms Dalton's family say her organs will be donated.

The beautician died three days after being attacked in her Central Coast home.

Pearce will appear in court again in November.

“Rest Easy Hun.. U didn’t deserve to go this way, will remember our good old party days.. Ur an awesome chic.. So sad for u and all ur loved one..U blossomed on earth to bloom in heaven, Rest Easy my friend,” one wrote.

Another said: “So very sad love to you Blair and your family who will struggle without you RIP xx,” while a former colleague said she felt “blessed” to have worked with her.

“You truly were one of a kind, down to earth and the life of the party,” she said.

“Life can be so cruel,” another added. “Thoughts are with you ya family and most of all your little man, im sure you will still look after him from up there!!”

Narelle Ann’s message summed up the sentiment of many: “RIP no one deserves this. So sad.”

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