Brave nurse beat a brain tumour – then was murdered by her abusive boyfriend
Caitlin O’Brien had just won the fight of her life – but there was one battle she couldn’t overcome
They’d met as teenagers while they were studying, and despite their relationship being fraught with problems for over a decade, they had been together ever since. Caitlin O’Brien, 31, knew being with Shea Sturt was toxic but however many times she tried to get away from him, she was trapped. And it wasn’t for want of trying.
Caitlin was a nurse and she was living in a second-floor apartment in Melbourne, Australia. She was kind and caring – and committed to trying to help others. No one more so than her boyfriend. Quiet Caitlin would often shock her hospital colleagues by showing up at work crying and covered with bruises and Sturt’s violence towards her had seen him end up in court several times. Everyone knew she deserved so much better but Caitlin couldn’t seem to break free.
As early as 2008, they had a fight about moving furniture and Sturt hit Caitlin. She reported him to the police, but she withdrew the complaint. Then, in 2010, she fled her home after Sturt pulled her by the hair and punched her several times in the head.
He had become angered by Caitlin suggesting he might need psychological help. Caitlin filed a report and he was charged with assault but placed on an adjourned good behaviour bond.
Caitlin went on to visit her GP over 30 times with injuries from physical assaults. She told the GP once that Sturt had attacked her saying he needed to ‘kill her first before himself’. It became a way of life for Caitlin. She would tell the police about his acts of violence, but Sturt would manipulate her and the charges would eventually be dropped.
VIOLENCE
Sturt was having psychiatric treatment for his mental health problems. Later, he would be diagnosed with a schizophrenia-type personality disorder which was made worse by his excessive cannabis use. It differs from schizophrenia in that a patient is aware in hindsight that their delusions weren’t real. Sturt was admitted to mental health wards several times with paranoid delusions and that paranoia was targeted at Caitlin. But behind it all, his violence was his way of controlling Caitlin and he knew it was wrong. He later wrote to a friend, ‘I fully admit that I was predatory towards Caitlin. It was the core of our relationship.’
Caitlin knew that Sturt relied on her too, which made it hard for her to cut him off. He was unemployed, saying he couldn’t work due to his social anxieties. They lived off her wages – and Sturt was always threatening to harm himself, which kind-hearted Caitlin didn’t want. Her intuition to help saw Caitlin stand by Sturt over and over again.
TUMOUR
Then Caitlin was the one who needed caring for after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. In May 2019, she underwent surgery to have it removed. Recovering at home, she posted a picture on social media of her bandaged, shaved head and large wound, and jokingly referred to herself as ‘tennis ball head’. But the line of medical staples right across her head was proof of just how serious things were and what she’d gone through.
Her friends rushed to send her their love in the comments
Caitlin visited her GP over 30 times with injuries from physical assaults