Karen Chetcuti murder: Close friends plea to ensure brutal death never repeated

HAUNTING final texts from murdered mother Karen Chetcuti have been revealed as friends fight to ensure her brutal death is never repeated.

Copy pic of Karen Chetcuti

HAUNTING final text messages from murdered mother-of-two Karen Chetcuti have been revealed as her closest friends make an emotional plea to ensure her brutal murder is never repeated.

The battered body of the 49-year-old administration officer was found dumped in bushland after she went missing earlier last month.

Hundreds of mourners are expected to attend her funeral in Whorouly, east of Wangaratta, Victoria, on Monday.

High school mates Wendy Butler, Dianne McDonald and Cheryl Dobbie have planned a community march in her honour.

They will renew calls for an end to soft-sentencing and a justice system review.

But they also want the public to know what kind of person Ms Chetcuti was — not another tragic number, but a loving mother and somebody committed to the welfare of others.

Karen Chetcuti was brutally murdered last month.

She was always present, they said, one of a rare few who could block out distractions and really listen, though she was yet to master having her photo taken without bursting into laughter.

“She was beautiful in every way,’’ Ms Dobbie said.

“Her eyes, her laugh ... she was so approachable.

“She wanted to know who you were. She fitted in. She was special.’’

Though Ms Chetcuti lived hours away, the friends said they were in close contact.

In one of her last text messages, she spoke of her optimism for the year ahead.

“Going into 2016 single but hopeful,’’ she wrote. “I hope you have the happy ever after you so deserve.’’

Ms Butler said her reply now took on a darker significance. “I wish you all the best,’’ she replied.

“You just never know who is around the corner.’’

The former Blackburn South High School students have launched the “Broken Hearts’’ campaign to honour Ms Chetcuti’s memory and campaign for changes to the justice system.

Cheryl Dobbie, Wendy Butler and Di McDonald. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Ms Chetcuti’s neighbour Michael Cardamone, 48, has been charged with her murder.

Justice Party campaigner Derryn Hinch will join Ms Chetcuti’s friends for the march and said he hoped it would make a difference.

“You hope it will achieve something,’’ Hinch said.

“You hope it will start to sink in.

“Every time this happens, whether it’s Jill Meagher or Sarah Caffer­key or Masa Vukotic, you could cut and paste the ­reaction ...

“I could write the same speech for the Premier for the next one and the next one.’’

The day to honour Ms Chetcuti will start at Blackburn South High School on Sunday, February 21.

White doves will be released before marchers walk along Holland Rd to the Burvale Hotel.

Bands will provide entertainment with all money raised going to a fund for Ms Chetcuti’s two children.

[e-mail]

Originally published as Karen Chetcuti murder: Close friends plea to ensure brutal death never repeated