My darling boy – Killed for being kind
Chrissy’s son’s big heart cost him his life
Chrissy Smith, 55, Tully, Qld
Sitting at the water’s edge with my kids, we waited patiently for a sh to nibble. A single mum to my girl, Stevie-Marie, then 10, and son, Robbie, eight, cash was often tight.
So we made special memories on camping trips,
shing together and eating dinner by the re.
My two youngest were like chalk and cheese. While Stevie-Marie was reserved and serious, Robbie was happy and carefree.
And, cheeky Robbie loved doing whatever it took to push his sister’s buttons!
So full of life, he was always intent on making others smile. He loved playing games with his nieces and nephews – kids of his older half-brother.
Incredibly creative, he enjoyed art at school. He even carried around a notebook and pencils, so he could draw anywhere.
Aged 11, Robbie moved three hours away to Mount Isa to live with his dad.
Though it hurt to see him go, I knew it was important they spend quality time together after we’d separated eight years earlier.
Plus, we’d still see each other throughout the year.
Robbie settled into his new school well and told me all about it on the phone.
Big-hearted, he was even known as ‘Switzerland’ to his friends – a reference to his peacekeeping abilities.
At 13, he joined the Royal Australian Air Force Cadets.
‘I want to become a pilot,’ he told me.
I was so proud of him.
After he nished school in 2017, Robbie decided to take a gap year to travel with some mates.
But his plans were put on hold when he was offered a job at a banana farm in Far North Queensland.
After he helped an elderly lady cross the road with her groceries, she’d put in a good word with her son who owned the business.
Robbie was grateful for the opportunity to put away money towards travelling.
But then, in March 2018, I was woken in the night by the phone ringing.
It was Robbie’s dad.
‘Robbie is dead,’ he screamed.
At rst, I didn’t believe him. It didn’t make sense.
There’s no way,
I thought. Not my boy.
My mind reeling, I hung up and called Robbie, but there was no answer.