Queensland family of teenage girl allegedly stabbed to death and dumped in bushland by her ex share their heartbreak
The family of a teenage girl found dead in bushland a year ago have spoken out about their grief and heartbreak after she was taken from them.
Emily Thompson was reportedly stabbed to death and her body dumped by her ex-boyfriend on October 22, 2022.
Ms Thompson had turned 18 two weeks earlier and was about to graduate from Pine Rivers State High School in Strathpine, Queensland, 21km north of Brisbane.
She was allegedly killed by Aaron Mitchelson Huckel, then 19 years old, hours after police said they met in a parking lot. He has been charged with her murder.
Her family described Mrs Thompson’s death as ‘terrible’. “The reality of waking up every day knowing she was no longer with us was and still is completely numbing,” they told the newspaper. Sunday post.
Emily Thompson (pictured) was reportedly stabbed to death and her body dumped by her ex-boyfriend on October 22, 2022
Ms Thompson had turned 18 two weeks earlier and was about to graduate from Pine Rivers State High School in Strathpine, Queensland, 21 kilometers north of Brisbane.
Following a call from Ms Thompson’s distressed parents, police tracked Mitchelson Huckel to a petrol station 80km away in Nambour on the Sunshine Coast, before finding her body in nearby bushland the next day.
At the time of her death, the family said, “She is not an “18-year-old woman,” she is Emily. A much loved daughter, sister, granddaughter, nephew, niece and friend. Emily was taken from the family under the worst circumstances.”
‘Emily was a schoolgirl about to complete Year 12 exams and had her whole life ahead of her. She had bought a beautiful dress, ready to attend her formal meeting in a vintage car driven by her beloved father. Her group of friends were preparing to celebrate the end of school and the beginning of their adult lives.
‘Emily was a smart, kind-hearted and loving girl. It was never about Emily, it was always about her family and friends. Her family is devastated and in shock as they try to understand what their lives will be like without Emily.”
A year later, the family said, “As time passes, the numbness wears off and you are left with the raw pain of knowing that you will never again hug your daughter, hear her laugh, or experience her experiencing new things.” .
“There is a terrible sense of loss for all the ‘things’ she was, but also for all the ‘things’ she could have been and done.”
The grieving family said their home now feels “emptier than ever before,” they are surrounded by friends and family who support them, but those people have to move on with their lives.
Like many people who suffer a terrible, violent loss, they said “it seems incomprehensible that nothing has actually changed in the outside world.”
Ms Thompson’s mother, Melissa, said she was excited to finish high school and start a new chapter in her life, and had already booked and paid for her school trip after exams.
Aaron Mitchelson Huckel (pictured) has been charged with the murder of Emily Thompson
She had six grandparents who were all deeply involved in her life, among others she took her clothes shopping on her birthday, taught her to drive and took her and her brother to the Gold Coast theme parks during the school holidays.
The family said they would like people to “think about Emily often.”
“Smile remembering her. We do. Cry for the loss of her. We do. Share stories with each other. We do. But most importantly, say her name. #hernameisEmily.’
Mitchelson Huckel, who is in custody, will appear in the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on November 20.