Hundreds join vigils for murdered victim
Hundreds of people gathered in Whanganui on Saturday night to remember Jasmine Wilson and amplify her family and friends’ calls for the community to speak out and stand up against violence.
The 30-year-old mother of two died in hospital on August 2, after suffering ‘‘non-accidental injuries’’ in Whanganui on July 31.
No-one has been charged with her murder yet, and police say people with information are not co-operating.
Wilson was honoured at two back-toback events in Majestic Square promoting the message that witnesses to violence need to speak up and be supported and protected by the community more often, to save lives and see justice done.
The earlier event also acted as a fundraiser, and collected more than $1700 to be divided equally between a trust fund for Wilson’s two young sons and Women’s Refuge.
The first event, Break The Silence #Justice4Jazz, was organised by her best friends Danielle Carter and Jess Tutaki, with the support of her father Chris Wilson and her sisters Madi and Ambreia.
It was followed by a candlelit vigil in the evening, organised by her mother Brenda Reuben, which featured talks from Reuben, social workers and community leaders.
Chris Wilson said the outpouring of support was amazing, and the two events were the perfect way to honour his daughter.
‘‘She was just awesome. She put everybody else before herself. I can’t believe some animal would beat my daughter to death.’’
He said his daughter’s friends had been an invaluable support for the family, particularly Carter and Tutaki. ‘‘She had an unbreakable bond with her friends. She loved them like family, and they’ve been here for us, like family.’’
Nearly a dozen of her friends, led by Carter and Tutaki, organised and volunteered at the event. The pair knew Jasmine for 16 years. They grew up together, met their partners and had children around the same time, and were virtually inseparable.
Carter said they didn’t want anyone else to be the victim of senseless violence.
Reuben said there was something wrong in Whanganui when violence was too often met with silence, and there had been so many murders this close together. ‘‘There are eight other families in the last nine months. This vigil honours them all.’’
Four people, who all have interim name suppression, have been arrested and charged in relation to Jasmine Wilson’s death.