Detective breaks down over Mia Ayliffe-Chung’s death, mother writes

THE murder of Mia Ayliffe-Chung rocked even the most seasoned police, including a “195cm burly” detective who wept.

Mia Ayliffe-Chung, 21, died of multiple stab wounds.

THE detective leading the investigation into the grisly alleged stabbing murders of Mia Ayliffe-Chung and Tom Jackson broke down in tears when he met the slain young woman’s mother in Queensland this week.

Rosie Ayliffe said the heartfelt tribute to her daughter by Detective Superintendent Ray Rohweder gave her “the only comforting moment of this sorry nightmare”.

The bereaved mother wrote about the meeting in a daily blog for UK news site, The Independent, as it emerged that the heroism of Mr Jackson would continue in death.

The father of the 30-year-old British backpacker, who suffered fatal stab wounds attempting to shield Ms Ayliffe-Chung from her attacker, revealed in an interview with the Townsville Bulletin they had decided to donate the young man’s organs.

Rosie Ayliffe arrived in Australia on Wednesday.

Detective Superintendent Ray Rohweder investigated Mia’s death.

Ms Ayliffe revealed the alleged crime rocked even the seasoned police who investigated it.

“Incredibly, the 195cm burly Regional Crime Co-ordinator Ray Rohweder from Queensland Police Department, who visited to give us a thorough account of Mia’s last moments, today broke down himself and wept,” she wrote.

“Having investigated every aspect of Mia’s private possessions, his tributes to Mia were probably the most heartfelt I’d heard.

“It was the most comforting moment of this sorry nightmare and I will never forget it.”

Two days after Ms Ayliffe-Chung, 21, and her fellow British backpacker Tom Jackson, 30, suffered fatal stab wounds at Shelley’s Backpackers, Det Supt Rohweder told reporters the incident had been captured on CCTV footage.

He appeared shaken by the bloody scene he had witnessed on the screen.

Mia Ayliffe-Chung in a photo on her Instagram page.

“I’ve viewed the CCTV of what actually occurred — there’s no-one that can view that CCTV that doesn’t come away feeling sick to the stomach. It’s just absolutely horrific,” he said.

French national Smail Ayad has been charged with Ms Ayliffe-Chung’s murder.

He has also been charged with the attempted murder of Tom Jackson, a charge that will be upgraded to murder at his next court appearance in October.

Mr Jackson’s father Les made the decision to switch off his son’s life support on Tuesday, a week after the attack.

The 30-year-old succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

Rosie Ayliffe was en route to Australia when the heroic backpacker died.

“The police had been well briefed and refused to answer my first question, which was, ‘How’s Tom Jackson?’” she wrote.

“That job was left to Megan Hunt from the consulate.

“None of us took the news well. It was devastating to hear that this heroic man had died trying to save Mia’s life and I, for one, dissolved again into the hopeless sobbing that had plagued me for most of the flight.”

Jackson’s family has revealed his organs have been donated.

Mr Jackson’s father Les told the Townsville Bulletin of his enormous pride in his son, who, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has nominated for a posthumous bravery award.

“I’m just so proud of him,” he said.

“I have seen the papers and have been watching things on the internet and seeing people like the Premier talk about my son’s bravery has been very overwhelming.”

Ms Ayliffe said she hoped to meet Mr Jackson while she was in Australia.

She wrote of grappling with the heart-wrenching decision of whether or not to view her daughter’s body.

French man Smail Ayad, 29, has been charged over the double murder.

“I had decided emphatically not to, felt I didn’t need to,” she wrote.

“Mia’s Nan, Ruby, is trying to make me reconsider as she thinks I need ‘closure’. What is this closure? Acceptance of death? I don’t accept it. Mia’s alive here in my heart ... Does closure mean I will forget her?

“On the other hand, naysayers say if I see her that will eclipse all other images.

“But how could it wipe out the image of Mia tottering off on her first independent bike ride?

“Or Mia acting out a demanding role on stage? Or Mia coming home from her first science lesson at Anthony Gell, blown away by a teaching style she could actually comprehend?

“Nothing will eclipse those memories. Could I live to regret not seeing her? I just don’t know on this one.”

Ms Ayliffe revealed her daughter would be farewelled in a multi-faith ceremony.

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