Daughter of late TV host Erin Jayne Plummer makes heartbreaking declaration after her late father took his own life
EXCLUSIVE
The grief-stricken eldest daughter of television presenter Erin Jayne Plummer has paid a special tribute to her late father as she takes the first tentative steps to rebuild her shattered life.
Alan Plummer died in October, two years after his wife took her own life, leaving their three girls – aged 18, 15 and 10 – as orphans for the rest of their lives.
Elani Plummer, 18 – now the sole guardian of her younger sisters – shared a loving photo with her father on what would have been his 50th birthday on December 28.
“Congratulations dad, forever and always your girl,” she captioned the photo.
Mr Plummer was found dead at Freshwater on Sydney’s northern beaches on November 10 after failing to meet a friend for a morning swim.
The girlfriend called police to request a welfare check and officers arrived at the Plummer family home in the same suburb to inform Elani that her father was missing.
His body was found an hour later by a lifeguard at the foot of a cliff at Freshwater Beach.
His death came two years after his wife Erin committed suicide in May 2022 after a battle with mental health issues. Her body was found at the base of a manly cliff.
Elani Plummer, the daughter of television host Erin Jayne Plummer, has remembered her father Alan on his birthday as she took on parental responsibility for her siblings
Teenager Elani has shared special moments on the freshwater cliff, near her parental home
The three young daughters said their final goodbyes to their deceased father, two years after their mother committed suicide. Eldest daughter Elani is pictured on the far right
Elani Plummer explained how her father had tried to let her continue her childhood after losing his wife, “while everyone else saw me as a mother.” Erin Jayne and Alan Plummer are pictured on their wedding day
At her father’s funeral, Elani acknowledged the enormous responsibility now placed on her as the eldest of three sisters, but thanked him for giving her the time to grow up.
“He made me feel like a child when everyone else looked to me as a mother, or as a guardian for my sisters,” she told a packed crowd at Magnolia Chapel North Ryde.
“And I wish I didn’t have to give up that sense of freedom and childhood, but at the end of the day, he’s the only person I would give it up for.”
Mr Plummer’s death came two months after he sold the family’s Freshwater home, which he and Erin bought in 2002.
Elani had only just completed her HSC and was celebrating a friend’s 18th birthday the night before her father’s body was found.
Mr Plummer had planned to move to Queensland with his 10-year-old daughter to be closer to his 15-year-old, who is studying there on a sports scholarship.
He reportedly bought an apartment for Elani to stay on the northern beaches with her friends.
Freshwater Beach was Erin’s favorite seaside spot, and Elani often spends time on the cliffs remembering both her parents sharing the moment on her social media.
Alan Plummer died in November amid his own battle with mental health issues, leaving his girls – aged 18, 15 and 10 – to endure the rest of their lives as orphans. The photo shows the middle daughter
Since Mr. Plummer’s death, his daughters have been embraced by close friends of their parents, who have wrapped loving arms around the siblings and taken them into their home.
A GoFundMe appeal for the Plummer daughters has raised $40,970 of its $50,000 goal. Mr. Plummer is pictured with his three daughters
The chapel at Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium was overflowing with mourners during Alan Plummer’s funeral
It is understood her 15-year-old sister will continue her scholarship and return home for the school holidays, while Elani will have full responsibility for her 10-year-old sister.
At the funeral, Elani directly addressed “this mental health battle that seems to be plaguing our family” – a close-knit clan called “The Plum Squad.”
During her eulogy, she acknowledged the support she and her sisters had received since their father – commonly known as “Big Al” – died.
“First of all, I would like to say a huge thank you to the families who have taken three girls into their care over the past three weeks,” she said. “We love you guys so much.”
Elani said she and her father made a promise to be each other’s best friends forever during a walk along Sweetwater Beach when she was ten years old.
“And nothing our family has experienced over the past two years could have prepared me for the loss of my best friend,” she said.
Elani said her father had continued to raise “three of the most competitive girls you will ever meet” in their mother’s absence
“And we promise that we will win this battle against mental health that seems to be plaguing our family,” she said.
“And with patience and kindness, I promise it will stop here.”
A GoFundMe appeal for the Plummer daughters has raised $40,970 of its $50,000 goal.
In a progress update posted on December 23, contributors were thanked.
‘Thank you so much to everyone for your generosity. It’s incredible to see so many people coming to the aid of three beautiful girls and helping them shape their futures,” wrote organizer J Casey.
“I know they are all grateful and amazed at the generosity you have all shown, and the outpouring of support is a testament to how many people have shown a willingness to stand up and support those who need help in times like these.” ‘
In addition to her television career, Erin was an accomplished synchronized swimmer who represented Australia at three world championships and won eleven national titles.
But it was her advertising roles for which Erin was best known. Over the years, she has developed everything from massage chairs and exercise programs to slimming jeans and steam mops.