This post deals with violence against women and might be triggering for some readers.
At lunchtime on Christmas Day, 52-year-old Rachel Wake was killed.
Rachel was allegedly stabbed to death in her Hobart home by a man known to her, Darren Mark Wake, 60. Both of their children were at home during the ordeal.
Police have confirmed the two teenage children are physically uninjured but in significant distress, support services are being provided to them.
Police officers responding to reports of a stabbing found Rachel in a serious condition with upper body injuries. She was taken to Royal Hobart Hospital, where she later died.
Rachel is the 43rd Australian woman killed by violence in 2021. She leaves behind daughter Romany and son Gabriel.
Watch: Women And Violence: The Hidden Numbers. Post continues below.
Darren Mark Wake appeared in an out-of-hours session of the Hobart Magistrates Court on Sunday and was charged with murder. He was remanded in custody and did not enter a plea and did not apply for bail. The matter is due for court in January 2022.
Rachel was a registered nurse and midwife, who was "committed to her work, passionate about caring for other women at their most vulnerable moments".
A GoFundMe page has also been set up for Rachel's children, tributes pouring in for the mother of two, remembering her as "the kindest soul".
Fundraising organiser and colleague Hannah Chapman wrote, "Tragically the life of a beautiful woman was violently taken in Hobart on Christmas Day, in front of her teenage children. Her surviving daughter Romany has given consent for this fund to be shared far and wide so that her beloved Mum’s story can be known around the world.
"Her teenage children have experienced a great trauma and a huge loss."
So far, the GoFundMe has raised well over $50,000 for her two children, helping them to rebuild their lives.
On December 6, emergency services were called to a caravan park near Wangaratta Victoria after receiving reports a woman had been fatally injured. Ambulance crews were unable to revive Carmen Niklaus, 40. An unnamed man known to Carmen was taken into custody and charged with murder.
On December 5, emergency services were called to Riverwood in New South Wales, where they found Lydia Gacuma, 67, with multiple stab wounds to her torso and back. She died at the scene. Lydia was described as having impaired mobility and was using a walking frame. After a short search of the area, police arrested Mahmoud Eleter, 24, and charged him with murder. The man was not known to the victim.
On November 27, emergency services were called to an apartment in Southport, Queensland. Mary Benedito, 25, was found unresponsive and was transported to ICU with critical injuries. Mary died in hospital. Her ex-partner and the father of her 11-month-old son, was arrested and charged with murder.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Rachel's family, the money raised to go towards her two children. You can contribute here.
If this post brings up any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. It doesn’t matter where you live, they will take your call and, if need be, refer you to a service closer to home.
You can also call safe steps 24/7 Family Violence Response Line on 1800 015 188 or visit www.safesteps.org.au for further information.
Feature Image: Facebook.
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