"As Moira’s mum, I need to be the one to speak.

The trial is over. We now know the full extent of Moira’s horrific physical injuries. That knowledge will haunt us always. We will never know the extent of her pain or torture, the mental anguish she endured. We do know that if she could think at all, she would think of us, those she cherished most. Moira knew how dearly she was loved. We had an exceptionally close relationship, and she would know the effect her death would have on us.

As she battled in the dark with a monster, as she fought for her life, she would also have been fighting for ours.

But it has taken us a long time for us to absorb the enormity of all this. How could Moira, our lovely, fun loving, full of life Moira, be a body in the park? We were totally stunned, and everything was surreal.

As the paralysis wore off, the pain increased. Our hearts have been gouged out, and we are left with ragged, weeping wounds. Before this, Hugh was doing a job he loved. I worked part time. We cannot work now. Grant gave up his job, his home and his life in Australia to come back and care for us. After months, Paul returned to work, but with many absences.

Moira was loved by so many people, and their lives, like ours, have been shattered.
Moira was fun. She was warm and smiling. She was highly intelligent and thoughtful. She was tolerant, and non-judgmental. She gave 100% in every aspect of her life.

In spite of her many talents, she remained unassuming. There was no side to Moira. She was genuinely interested in everyone, people from all walks of life, and she could talk and listen to them all. She was always supportive, and she made people feel better about themselves. This gift, her wit, her great humanity and generosity of spirit has been lost to those who already loved her, and to those whose lives she would have enriched in the future.

Our precious girl had her life stolen from her in the most savage way, by an evil, depraved monster. A monster without the guts to confess, and who prolonged the agony of the trial. She was robbed of everything she had to look forward to, for herself and for others. And we have been deprived of the pleasure of sharing her life. We are desperate that Moira be remembered for the very wonderful person she was, and not for how she died. And we have set up a fund, The Moira Fund. We hope that in Moira’s name, we can help others by offering respite aid to those who might find themselves in a similar situation to ours.

Moira, darling, darling, Moira, we were so proud of you. We will always be so proud of you. And we will do the best we can with our lived to make them worthy of you. You will live with us forever."