Brother, sister grieve at Cairns shrine to 8 kids
Sister Norena Warria, and brother Lewis, 20, supported by Gavin Willie, father of the three youngest victims, paid tribute at the flower-strewn memorial in Murray St.
“My babies, my babies,’’ howled Ms Warria. “Why?” Lewis, visibly stunned, his face etched with the horror, clutching a large teddy bear and flowers, stood close to his eldest – and now only – sister.
Mr Willie broke away from the group, stood at the police tape, and stared into 34 Murray St, still shrouded by plastic sheeting. Authorities yesterday confirmed the house would be razed and the site bulldozed to make way for a landmark to honour the killed children.
“It’ll be a fitting and long-lasting tribute to those beautiful children,’’ said Cairns State MP Gavin King. “It’s the right thing to do." He said it was too early to detail what it would look like, the cost or the timing.
Hundreds of mourners yesterday continued to stream into the park, laying flowers, toys, cards and fruit platters. Eight butterflies and love hearts bore the words: “Fly High Little One”.
Mum Raina Thaiday, 37, has been formally charged with eight counts of murder and remains in hospital under police guard with self-inflicted knife wounds.
Three days ago the two surviving children had the grisly task of identifying the bodies of their slain siblings and a cousin killed on Friday.
Senior police yesterday gathered forensic analysts, detectives and officers who have worked around the clock to express their gratitude. “It is part of their job from time to time to see things that no human being should see,’’ Assistant Commissioner Brett Ponting said.
Friends of one of the victims who was 11, and played wing for the under-11 Cairns Brothers rugby league team, placed a jersey at the shrine. “She was faster than me. She was a good tackler,’’ said co-captain Jesse Bowie. “And she was always smiling.’’
Source: Cairns Post
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