Heartbroken wife of paramedic stabbed to death outside McDonald’s gives birth to couple’s second child – and makes solemn promise
- Steven Tougher was fatally stabbed on the job
- Madison Tougher gave birth to the couple’s second child
- The paramedic died outside a McDonalds on April 14
The wife of a paramedic who was fatally stabbed outside a McDonald’s has given birth to the couple’s second child and vowed she will grow up knowing her father was a “hero.”
Steven Tougher, 29, was allegedly stabbed multiple times in a McDonald’s car park at around 5:30 am on April 14 during a lunch break in Campbelltown, Sydney’s southwest.
Suspected knifeman Jordan Fineanganofo, 21, has been charged with murder and remains in custody. He is due to appear in court in Sydney on June 28.
Mother Madison gave birth on May 18 and named her Lily-Mae Stevie Tougher as a nod to the frontline worker.
NSW Ambulance announced in a statement on Thursday that the girl was born weighing 4.1kg and 48cm tall.
“Madison reports that her labor and birth were peaceful and calm, just like Steven’s personality,” NSW Ambulance said.
The NSW Ambulance paramedic and former nurse was married to the love of his life for just seven weeks before he tragically passed away in his ambulance.
Madison Tougher, wife of EMT Steven Tougher (pictured together) has given birth to their second child
The baby born on May 18 was named Lily-Mae Stevie Tougher, a nod to the frontline worker
At Mr. Tougher’s memorial service in May, his wife Madison made a “new vow” to teach their two children that Steven was a hero.
“On that day I made a promise to you, swore to love you for the rest of my life, and became your wife,” she said.
“Today, just seven weeks later, I make a new vow to you.
“Today I promise our two beautiful children will always know what a selfless, hard-working, kind, compassionate person you were.
“They will forever understand how their father was a hero who helped people through the most painful and sickest of times.”
Mr Tougher was nearing the end of a night shift when a stranger allegedly lunged at him and repeatedly stabbed him in the stomach
Mr. Tougher was nearing the end of his night shift when a stranger reportedly lunged at him and repeatedly stabbed him in the stomach.
He and his colleague had “worked hard all night” and were eating lunch in a McDonald’s parking lot at the time.
As police rushed to the scene and arrested his alleged attacker, Mr Tougher was taken to Liverpool Hospital in critical condition, where he sadly died.
The day after the incident, Fineanganofo’s lawyer told AAP that his client had undergone extensive psychiatric treatment but was “without treatment and medication” at the time of the alleged stabbing.
Mr Tougher was filling out paperwork for the end of his night shift when he was reportedly stabbed in the back of his ambulance (scene pictured)
Mr. Tougher attended Charles Sturt University, where he chaired the online student representation committee.
Before graduating, Mr. Tougher worked as a nurse at Wollongong Private Hospital. In mid-2022 he obtained his paramedic diploma.
He became a paramedic trainee in May 2022 and was just weeks away from paternity leave to care for his second child when he was killed.