RIP Lesley Elliott

Stuff reports:

Lesley Elliott’s husband of 50 years has paid tribute to the domestic violence campaigner, who has died following an “incredibly difficult” battle with Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

The 76-year-old, who was the mother of Sophie Elliot, died at Ross Home in Dunedin on Sunday.

Following the brutal murder of Sophie by her former boyfriend Clayton Weatherston in 2008, Lesley set up the Sophie Elliott Foundation and toured New Zealand teaching young people about safe and healthy relationships and the warning signs of abuse.

She had the most horrific thing possible happen to her family, but rather than let it crush her, she spent her remaining years helping other families escape bad situations.

Lesley Elliott co-authored a best-selling book about her daughter’s death, Sophie’s Legacy, with Bill O’Brien. At least eight women credited it as being the catalyst for them leaving their violent partners.

May Lesley rest in Araboth with Sophie, while in due course Weatherston move permanently to Gehinom.