FAMILY DISTRAUGHT OVER VANDALISED GRAVE

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are warned that the following program may contain stories and voices of deceased persons.

In March this year, Shauna-Lee Rose Headland lost her life to domestic violence. She was only 26 years old. The family laid her to rest at the Utakarra cemetery in Geraldton on Friday.

Yabu band’s Delson Stokes is the step-father of Ms Headland (deceased) and was shocked when he and his partner Janis Headland (mother of Shauna-Lee Rose) went to the graveside to say farewell on Saturday morning.

“Everything was damaged, vandalised, desecrated. It’s bad enough we already lost her at the age of 26 through domestic violence. They scattered all the beautiful wreaths and damaged the headstone,” Mr Stokes said.

The family is saddened and angry by the disrespectful act and want the vandals to know how their actions have impacted them.

“The highest level of respect is to attend the funeral. It’s not okay, you have ripped the heart out of the chest of the family, those who are grieving and robbed us of our grieving spot. Leave everyones’ grave alone.”

Mr Stokes said the family will get the police involved and are hoping that there is CCTV vision in the area. Mr Stokes also asked for witnesses to come forward.

On the 27th of April, the family of the late Shauna-Lee Rose Headland will meet at the Supreme Court Gardens in Perth to raise awareness about domestic violence and call for justice for Ms Headland.