The grieving mother of 15-year-old Cassius Turvey, killed in an alleged violent attack in Perth, has paid tribute to her son while questioning why police took only a brief statement from the schoolboy before he died in hospital.
Mechelle Turvey, the mother of the year 9 student, said the family has been left heartbroken after the attack. She remembered him as a “young leader” who loved basketball, school and his friends. The Noongar teenager died on the weekend.
“I’m coping day by day and sometimes hour by hour. We’re all so heartbroken,” she said.
Cassius was much loved and his mother said his loss has left the family and broader community grieving, in shock and angry.
“He was such leader and I think that is so important for our youth, black and white we need to lift them up and empower them.
“His best mates … all the children at Cassius’s high school, they’re all heartbroken. They’re all hurt. They’re feeling anger as well. I know, we are.”
She said she was frustrated that police, apart from taking a brief statement from Cassius the night he was admitted to hospital, did not take a further statement from him before he died.
“We did not hear from any detectives, no police. Nothing. For five full days. That was their opportunity. That was their window,” Turvey said.
She said she expects to meet with WA police commissioner, Col Blanch, in the coming days and would raise this with him.
A 21-year-old man has been charged with murder after the alleged attack when Turvey and his friends were walking home from school in Middle Swan, on 13 October. Western Australian police have said they are investigating allegations of racial slurs being used, but have made clear they are not speculating about any reasons for the alleged murder. They have said they believe a metal pole was used in the assault.
Cassius’s head injuries were so severe he was placed in an induced coma after suffering two strokes and a brain bleed.
He was in hospital for five days before doctors told the family he would not be able to survive.
Police have said the accused man’s vehicle had been damaged a day earlier, but they believed the boys had nothing to do with any property damage.
“At this stage, it appears Cassius was an innocent victim of a violent attack,” Blanch said on Wednesday.
“He was simply spending time with his friends when he was assaulted. I urge community members to refrain from unfounded speculation regarding this tragic death of a young boy. My thoughts are with the family of Cassius at this terrible time.”
Turvey said she was overwhelmed by the love and support from across the country, with cities and towns all planning to hold vigils and rallies for the family in coming days to echo their calls for justice.
Rallies to support the grieving family are planned for 2 November in Perth and the regional WA towns of Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Broome, Newman and Tom Price.
Actions are planned on the same day in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Townsville, Newcastle, the Gold Coast and Darwin.
“It’s touched me so much. The rallies and vigils just honouring my son and asking for justice,” she said.
Her home in Perth’s north-eastern suburbs has been inundated with flowers, food hampers, vouchers and gifts.
“Artists are doing auctions, they’ve offered to even paint my son’s casket, flowers, food. There’s just absolutely so much love and support for my son, and his little mates, and my family as well.
“It’s overwhelming, but it’s a beautiful, overwhelming feeling.
“It’s not just about me and my loss of my beautiful son,” she said.
“I want to wrap my arms around my family and around these children that were so close to Cassius, the families and the school and the country and community that we live in.”
Turvey said that allegations that the attack may have been racially motivated must be properly investigated by police to find out whether her son and the boys were targeted as young Aboriginals.
A candlelight vigil is planned for 31 October at Midland oval in the suburb to the north of Middle Swan to mark Halloween, Cassius’s favourite celebration.
“He loved it … Cassius was always making sure that I had lollies out the front of our house for children to come and get.”
The weapon used in Cassius’s attack has not been found and police are urging anyone with more information to come forward.
WA Police have been contacted for further comment.
