Home Hill murder victim's mother: 'I feel pity for my daughter's killer'
The mother of Home Hill murder victim Mia Ayliffe-Chung has touched down in Australia and says she feels “pity” for the man accused of killing the popular British backpacker.
Rosie Ayliffe was joined by family and friends from across the globe for the heartbreaking journey, ahead of her only child’s funeral, to be held on the Surfers Paradise on Friday.
Ms Ayliffe told Seven News she desperately wants to meet the family of hero Tom Jackson, who lost his life trying to save Mia from the knife attack.
“He’s an incredible young man, there’s no two ways about it,” Ms Ayliffe said.
“It was an act of exceptional bravery.”
On Wednesday, the Premier recommended Mr Jackson for a bravery award.
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Ms Ayliffe has pledged to give Mia’s ashes to her friends so they can scatter her around the world, and complete the journey that the popular 20-year-old planned to take.
Mia, who was born in London, had extended her Visa to stay on the Gold Coast and work as she travelled around Australia.
“There was no inkling she felt under threat, apart from spiders and snakes,” Ms Ayliffe said.
Police allege Mia was killed by fellow backpacker Smail Ayad and are investigating whether the French national had developed an obsession with the 20-year-old.
“What happened was so brutal,” Mia’s sister Nicola Hawkridge-Chung said.
“You don’t want that to be (Mia’s) defining moment.”
Ms Ayliffe said she is not angry with Mia’s accused killer Smail Ayad, who remains in police custody.
“I feel pity for him because he now has to live knowing he’s killed two strong, exceptional people,” she said.
Mr Ayad will appear in court again on October 28.
