Police have charged a 38-year-old man with murder after he allegedly struck down 37-year-old Jacqui Purton with a car at a rural property in Campania, Tasmania.
Purton was found by first responders on Monday morning and was pronounced dead after suffering serious injuries. Police will allege the man was known to Purton. He is due to appear before the Hobart Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
In a post to Facebook, Purton’s father, Scott, wrote: “my heart and my family’s hearts have been ripped apart in a tragic day for us”.
“Jacqui, U will always be loved and remembered by us all.
“To my grandkids words cannot express how much your mum loved U all my heart goes out to U all.”
Purton, a mother of four, has been remembered by her sister, Zoe, as someone with a “loving and caring” soul. Zoe has launched a GoFundMe page to support Jacqui’s children and cover funeral costs.
“I want to try take off as much pressure from my beautiful family during this suffering and loss If the shoe was on the other foot Jacqui would do anything for anyone,” Zoe wrote on the fundraising page.
“Her life was taken from her so selfishly, leaving behind behind a beautiful 20 year old daughter and 3 young sons, her daughter will now care for.”
According to researchers at Destroy the Joint, Purton is the 8th woman to be killed due to violence against women in Australian in 2023.
As the toll of violence against women continues to rise in 2023, there are concerns from national helpine Full Stop Australia (1800FULLSTOP) that its funding will run out in less than 6 months. The organisation is currently running a fundraiser, and calling on the federal government to urgently fund the line, which provides a critical service to those impacted by sexual and domestic violence.
In Australia, a woman is killed by an intimate partner every 10 days on average, while 1 in 3 women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and one in 5 has experienced sexual violence.
Support is available for those who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 13 11 14; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636.
If you or someone you know is impacted by family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au
In an emergency, call 000.