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Our thoughts are with Jill Meagher’s family

The Punch Team

by The Punch Team

28 Sep 07:00am

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Filed under: Crime, Jill Meagher

41 comments

Most of us didn’t know Jill Meagher; now we never will. Her story and its tragic ending have stunned the whole country.

RIP

As Lucy wrote, it’s the uncomfortable thought that this could have happened to anyone that somehow makes this more personal.

Police found her body early this morning, and a man has been charged with her rape and murder. All the details are here, at news.com.au.

There will be much to talk about in the coming days. We will see the story unfold further through the justice system. Everyone will be asking why it happened, and how it happened.

There will be lessons to be learned about reporting crime, about staying safe.

And there will be devastating grief, and probably guilt, and horror and fear.

For now, though, The Punch team just wants to say – as clichéd as it is – that our thoughts are with Jill’s huband, friends, families, loved ones. If you want, please share your thoughts here.

Most commented

41 comments

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    • Kerryn says:

      07:59am | 28/09/12

      Makes you think about how many times that could have been you.

      It could have been me quite a few times during footy season when I walked back from the Gabba to my motel (and even recently when I attended the Club Champion dinner - thankfully there were some cops so I just walked on the same side of the road as them as a precaution).  It could easily be me every morning when I walk to work (just because I’m in a country town doesn’t mean these things can’t and don’t happen).

      RIP Jill, and my thoughts and prayers go to her friends and family.

      Reply

    • Rebecca says:

      10:21am | 28/09/12

      It is really scary to think it could easily happen to any one of us. Sending my prayers to Jill and her family, may she rest in peace. Girls, please stay safe and get a lift home or walk with company when you can!

      What a heartbreaking day for all Australians.

    • Tory Shepherd

      Tory Shepherd says:

      07:59am | 28/09/12

      Hey everyone, please note that we will be very strict on comments here. We want you to be able to share your thoughts, but keep it to your thoughts for the family, nothing else will be allowed.

      Reply

    • Tim says:

      08:02am | 28/09/12

      Fair enough Tory,

      Sad outcome for all involved.

    • Dr Jack says:

      10:12am | 28/09/12

      I’m not sure how well your request can be met, Tory, when this story is so deep and dark but Jill’s kith and kin must know that we are all marked somehow by their loss. Surely we can all learn much from it about navigating this world but God will certainly stand forever beside those she loved.

    • fairsfair says:

      08:01am | 28/09/12

      Devastating. May she rest in peace.  My sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.

      Reply

    • TChong says:

      08:11am | 28/09/12

      my thoughts too,  f f .

    • Bitten says:

      08:09am | 28/09/12

      This is so sad and I feel so much for her husband and her family. He was out searching for her and she was already gone.

      My thoughts are with you all.

      Reply

    • Dash says:

      08:25am | 28/09/12

      Very very sad to wake to this news today. May she rest in peace. Thoughts and prayers to her family at this time.

      Reply

    • Tatty_Anne says:

      08:28am | 28/09/12

      Heartfelt condolences to Jill’s husband Tom, her parents and family in Ireland and to her friends and workmates for the terrible loss.  May the road rise up to meet her….

      And can I just mention the colleague who offered to walk her home.  I so feel for him, how he must be trying to deal with this.

      Reply

    • Neen says:

      10:03am | 28/09/12

      Yeah tatty-Anne my thought was also about the colleague as well…... How they will beat themselves up over this when we have all said” thanks but no it’s fine I just < insert response here >”

    • cherie says:

      08:34am | 28/09/12

      My thoughts are with her Parents, Her devastated Husband,
      this is heartbreaking, R.I.P. sweet girl.
      My sincere condolences are with to Her Family and Friends.

      Reply

    • fml says:

      08:34am | 28/09/12

      Absolutely grim,

      Thoughts with the family, friends and colleagues.

      Reply

    • John says:

      08:38am | 28/09/12

      I’m recovering after losing my partner suddenly to cancer, the greif is unbearable. I can’t begin to imagine the unbearable grief and shock her poor husband must be experiencing at this moment after losing her in such an horendous way..
      My thoughts are with him.

      Reply

    • P. Walker says:

      08:52am | 28/09/12

      So sad, an outcome none of us wanted to hear.
      RIP Jil, thoughts are with your family.

      Reply

    • Eric H. says:

      08:57am | 28/09/12

      As a parent I feel for Jills loved ones that are left behind to mourn her…“Rest in Peace little Darlin” My heart goes out to your loving Husband and family ...

      Reply

    • Scotchfinger says:

      08:59am | 28/09/12

      Terrible, shocking event. Rest in peace Jill. And well done to the police force, this must have been nearly as devastating for the officers involved as for Jill’s family.

      Reply

    • Joan says:

      09:10am | 28/09/12

      An evening out with friends should never end like this.
      May the family and friends of Jean Meagher take comfort knowing that millions of Australians share and feel their pain, their heartache, shock and horror this morning.

      Reply

    • True Blue Ozzie says:

      09:21am | 28/09/12

      Sad and tragic for her husband, family and loved ones! People say life moves on and with time the pain eases, but how could one, with such a waste of a beautiful life!

      Reply

    • Freeman says:

      09:25am | 28/09/12

      So awful that a lovely couple should come to Aus and have this happen.  Hope the family eventually come to terms with the tragedy.

      Reply

    • Camille says:

      09:29am | 28/09/12

      Such a heart breaking story.  She looked like such a happy young vibrant woman, someone i could see myself sharing a coffee and a laugh with.  My heart goes out to the family but especially to her co worker who offered to walk her home, and also to her brother who spoke to her last. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.

      Reply

    • Ben says:

      09:30am | 28/09/12

      Awful awful news for everyone to wake up to. The city and indeed the whole country’s heart goes out to Jill’s Husband, family and friends. A very sad day. Unfortunately where i live i see so many young women drunk and alone late at night in the suburbs. Be careful everyone and look out for eachother

      Reply

    • Tanya says:

      09:37am | 28/09/12

      This beautiful woman will be remembered across the world. The thoughts and condolences of many thousands are with her family and friends.

      Reply

    • che says:

      09:37am | 28/09/12

      I can’t even imagine what her husband and family are going through right now, I hope they can find comfort and strength with each other in this nightmare.

      And yes, it could have been any of us who have done the exact same thing after a night out. It’s such a tragic reminder to stick together and be safe.

      Reply

    • GYTIC says:

      09:47am | 28/09/12

      This whole saga has been disturbing to say the least.

      I am disappointed that the case ended in the way it did, but at least it didn’t result in a drawn out saga like Daniel Morcombes abduction. Now the family can have closure and a funeral.

      They would be devastated, and I can only hope that they feel blessed for having such a beautiful presence in their lives.

      Time heals all wounds. RIP Ms Jill Meagher.

      Reply

    • Lo says:

      10:14am | 28/09/12

      My heart and prayers go out to everybody who held her dear. I just can’t contemplate how how dreadful it would be to lose a loved one in this sort of horrible way. May the poor darling rest in peace and justice be done to the person who stole her life.

      Reply

    • Cynicsed says:

      10:18am | 28/09/12

      Incredibly sad and disturbing news. The grief must be horrendous for her poor husband and family. My heart aches for them and I add my sincerest condolences.

      Reply

    • Kev says:

      10:22am | 28/09/12

      Sad seems like such an understatement. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Jill.

      Reply

    • Peta says:

      10:18am | 28/09/12

      Jill’s husband will be numb at the moment. He will feel so alone as if the world is going by him and he’s no longer part of it. Greif is the most painful lonely experience we will ever have in life. In Jill’s husbands case it will be magnified even more so after losing her in such a sudden and tragic way.
      He will be living with this greif for the rest of his life. So sad.
      R.I.P. Jill - thoughts and prayers with her husband, he will need someone close to hold him and try to comfort him. No words will help.

      Reply

    • Karen from Qld says:

      10:19am | 28/09/12

      “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
      Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
      (An Irish quote)
      RIP Jill Meagher

      Reply

    • Deborah says:

      10:52am | 28/09/12

      What a beautiful quote for a beautiful soul, Jill Meagher.  Jill has touched our hearts.  Sincere sympathy to Jill’s husband, family, many friends and colleagues.

    • William says:

      11:01am | 28/09/12

      Unimaginable grief. Grief is the price we all pay for having loved.
      R.I.P Jill

      Reply

    • Dan Webster says:

      11:17am | 28/09/12

      Very sad. My condolences to all involved.
      R.I.P Jill Meagher.

      Reply

    • LaDiva says:

      11:16am | 28/09/12

      My thoughts and prayers are with Jill’s family and all who knew and loved her. Rest in peace beautiful soul.

      Reply

    • Redrover says:

      11:18am | 28/09/12

      And so this is Australia…...

      I am ashamed

      Reply

    • Shane* says:

      12:02pm | 28/09/12

      Be proud you live in a country where this still dominates headlines, talk-back, social media and mobilises an entire police force. Be proud that we all felt this loss so deeply. Be proud that we still feel pain despite all the junk happening in the world.  Be proud that meaningless football games over the weekend were rightly bumped off front pages. Be proud of the community that rallied, the city that rallied, and the nation that rallied. Be proud of the police who did their jobs so well. Be proud that we’re still a country where a foreign national going missing isn’t glossed over or ignored in the media or by police.

      Don’t feel ashamed. We have nothing to be ashamed about.

    • TheHuntress says:

      11:28am | 28/09/12

      So tragic. I cannot imagine the pain and loss of Ms. Meaghers family and friends. Our thoughts are with you.

      Reply

    • Alexandra says:

      11:39am | 28/09/12

      So very very sad that women are in such danger innocently walking home in our streets at night.  I feel so very sorry her husband - can only imagine what he is going through - the “if only I had picked her up” etc. Obviously she had walked that way many times and never had a problem before.  Thoughts and prayers to her husband, parents and extended family.

      Reply

    • Bee says:

      11:48am | 28/09/12

      Poor lady, what a terrible end. And really touching that so many people were worried about her, and grieve her loss.

      Reply

    • Beiha says:

      12:00pm | 28/09/12

      Rest in peace, beautiful girl. My thoughts go to the husband and Jill’s family. What a terrible, senseless tragedy. Australia’s condolensces are with you.

      Reply
    • Tory Shepherd

      Tory Shepherd says:

      12:23pm | 28/09/12

      Hey Punchers; sorry, but we’re going to have to close comments on this post now. It’s just too risky with people wanting to discuss the case. Thanks everyone for the kind wishes to Jill’s family.

      Reply
 
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