The family of a nine-month-old baby who was strapped to her father after he “jumped” off the Whispering Wall at the Barossa Reservoir are “absolutely devastated”.
Kobi Shepherdson was attached to her father in a child carrier when witnesses saw him jump at 4:30 pm on Wednesday.
Unfortunately, when emergency services arrived, her father was already dead and Kobi was unresponsive.
Despite the heroic efforts of witnesses and later paramedics, she was pronounced dead.
Kobi’s aunt Leisa Shepherdson Casey asked for privacy via Facebook as the family “went through these emotions”.
“We are completely devastated. My heart is heavy and my tears are dry, robbed in the most cruellest way of my beautiful niece Kobi,” she wrote.
“Auntie Leis loves you little poppet. You’ll be forever in my heart.”
South Australian Senator Marielle Smith said the local community is “heartbroken” for the family.
“I express my deepest condolences to the mother, family and loved ones of this precious little girl,” she wrote on Facebook.
“As a community, our hearts are breaking for all of them at this devastating time.
“To those who provided assistance and our emergency services, our thoughts and sincere thanks are with you too.
“If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, 1800 RESPECT is available 24 hours a day. In an emergency, always call 000.”
Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott spoke to the media yesterday, saying that there was a history of domestic violence in the family but Kobi’s father had “lawful access” to her at the time of her death.
“The baby was not taken,” he said.
“There was a very short time frame between the public having notified us that the incident had occurred and Kobi’s mother making contact with triple-0.
“Every relationship is complex, particularly when there is also domestic violence involved.
“While I’m not at liberty to discuss the specifics, it will form part of our investigation as to what was happening in the relationship and what was done prior to this incident.”
Photo credits: news.com.au
This article originally appeared on Over60.