I'll never understand.

Sometimes, I get so ignorantly caught up in my own life & happenings that I am oblivious to the 'news' occurring around me. I'm not a huge fan of watching the News these days, because quite frankly - it depresses me. Most headlined stories are about tragedy, war, crime or death. And although, I acknowledge that it's important to know about these occurrences and be aware of what's happening in today's world; I also prefer to stay in a positive bubble of baby cuddles, teething remedies, Kindy events, blog topics and playdates.

Chris follows current affairs and recent news daily. He knows a lot about what's happening in our local community, our state, our country and our world. He fills me in on bits of it.

But then there are some events that hit our headlines and news mediums - events that I can't help but follow obsessively. They strike a heartstring and I want to know every detail.

The recent disappearance of Jill Meagher was one of those stories. Chris & I, along with most of the Australian population, followed this case every step of the way. This beautiful 29 year old and her vanishing, was being talked about everywhere. Millions of hearts were bleeding for this girl. For her hurting husband. For her family. And because of some simple CCTV footage and the world of technology {and social media}, the accused man was found and charged within a week. Jill's body was located and the facts & details have started to surface.

Basically, an innocent woman, on her way home from a fun night out, was taken. Her life was ended that night. For no real reason; other than pure evil actions from a very sick man. A man who set out to hurt someone, anyone. A man who obviously has no soul, no heart.

I thought about the many times, I walked alone through night city streets in my adult life. On my way back to a dark carpark to make the 'safe trip' home. The many times my friends have done the same. We've all done it. And Jill; only metres from her house, came face to face with her fate. Just writing about it gives me shivers. I feel sick that our world houses such people as Adrian Bayley.

And another sickening factor - he was a Dad! And even worse - a father to daughters!!!! I guess I have always naively assumed that fathers to girls held a newfound respect for women. Surely they can now see the importance of women and their safety..... after bringing their very own girls into the world! Obviously not!

I feel so sad. So sad that a young life was taken, and taken so horrifically - for no deserving reason. I feel so sad that a man is now left wife-less....alone. This will ALWAYS haunt him. And so sad for the fear that this occurrence has triggered in Australian women. It's just not fair.

I'm not normally an advocate for revenge. I trust our law system and have never promoted fighting fire with fire. But in cases like this, I struggle to see why our taxes should be put into protecting this man and housing him in a jail. A jail where he'll be safe and comfortable. A jail that is probably air-conditioned {unlike our local schools} and full of luxuries, such as good food & technology.

I'm sure Jill's husband and father would love to be let loose on this man! Along with most of Australia.

I'll never understand how or WHY these kind of things happen. How do people get to that state of mind?

I'll just never understand!

RIP Jill. The whole of Australia holds you in their hearts!

Comments

[Amanda]

I'm like you Claire and don't watch the news these days either, Paul fills me in on headlines he reads about, but this story was one that caught my eye on news ads too. And like you, it hit home to me as just last weekend, I'd been to a friend's party drinks at a pub, parked in the private carpark underneath and yet when leaving, said "I'll be fine" when a friend offered to get her husband to walk me to my car. in hindsight, the carpark was deserted, anyone could have grabbed me and seeing the terrible story of Jill, I've since promised myself never to walk alone again (not that I'm out a lot myself much anyway). It just isn't safe and it's sad that us women have to be so wary of things like this in this day and age. I felt so heartbroken for Jill's poor husband and family, so tragic :(

[Susan McGuire]

Yes this is a very very sad situation. My heart breaks for Jills husband and family.

Strange as it may seem I also have sympathy for the killers wife and family. They must feel dreadful too but for different reasons.

This is tragic and so easily could have been avoided if only Jill was not walking alone at 1am. When will people learn how dangerous the big wide world is especially at night time.

I am definately going to be teaching my daughter to never ever take risks like this. I will make sure she always has money to catch a taxi.

[Laura]

Susan- the bar was only 700m from her home. You wouldn't be able to get a taxi to take you that short of a distance.

This whole thing is really sad, especially here in Perth where so many people knew her. i didn't know her but the girl who sits next to me at work went to the same highschool at the same time and another girl here worked with her for a while.