Tragedy as four children are orphaned after mother is reportedly mowed down and killed by her ex-lover during a horrific 3:30 a.m. attack – leaving her eldest daughter to raise her siblings alone
- Jacqui Purton, 37, reportedly fatally hit by a car
- Partner, 38, has been treated by police over her death
- a GoFundMe was launched to help her four children
Pictured: Jacqui Purton, 37
A mother of four has died after her ex-boyfriend allegedly ran her into a car, leaving her eldest daughter to raise her three younger siblings alone.
Jacqui Purton, 37, was killed on a remote estate in Campania, northeast of Hobart, when her ex-partner reportedly mowed her down at about 3.30am on Monday.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, but were unable to save her.
A white Holden Commodore sedan with a cracked bumper and window was parked in the driveway later Monday morning.
A 38-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday evening and later charged by the police.
“Police will claim the man was known to the 37-year-old woman who died of serious injuries after being hit by a car on a property in Native Corners Road,” the Tasmanian police said in a statement.
“The man will appear before Hobart Magistrates Court tomorrow.”
Ms Purton’s mother, Leanne Walford, told Daily Mail Australia that her daughter and the 38-year-old alleged killer met in 2019 and were together for about four years, before separating in September 2022.
“We don’t know the details, or why he was there on Monday, or anything except that he [allegedly] persuaded her.’
Jacqui Purton died Monday in an alleged act of domestic violence. Her daughter Shakira (pictured together) will raise her brothers
Jacqui Purton (right) is pictured with her three sons and mother, Leanne Walford (left)
Ms Purton’s sister said she tried to “live a great and free life” and worked in a van to look after her four children, ages 20, 16, 12 and 10. They are all from previous relationships.
The tragedy has left them orphaned with daughter Shakira, 20, who is reportedly caring for her little brothers.
a Go fund me founded to raise money for the children.
Ms Purton’s sister said Shakira is “amazing and so strong, but that’s because she doesn’t want to break in front of those guys.”
‘She wants to be there [them],’ she said.
The family were shocked to learn of Ms Purton’s death on social media on Monday.
“My mother woke up and saw where it happened. She followed up and we had it confirmed,” Ms Purton’s sister said.
She remembered her sister as a loving mother who “lived for her children.”
“It wasn’t always easy for her, but no matter what, she still raised her kids as a single mother and made sure they were never without,” her sister said.
Jacqui Purton’s family set up a fundraiser for her children. Her children have become orphans
Mrs. Walford said, “Jacqui was a mother, a daughter, and a sister, and those little boys will grow up without their mother.”
Tasmania’s police detective, Acting Inspector Nicholas Bowden, told local newspaper The Mercury that someone at the property called 911.
He declined to say how many people were in the house at the time.
“Evidence at the scene suggests the woman was hit by a car,” he said.
The detective is calling on anyone with information to contact the police immediately.