Disgusted with the system: Grieving mother tells how children ...
By Louise Uccio
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009
Grieving mother tells how children 'were my whole world'
THE grieving mother of Charlotte and Alexander Dillon, killed in a suspected murder-suicide, had deep concerns about her ex-husband's mental state.
Susanne Dillon today described her ``precious children'' Charlotte, 6, and Alexander, 5, as her ``whole world'' and revealed her inner heartache at not being able to protect them despite ``every effort and every Family Court order''.
She said she hoped lessons could be learned from the tragedy.
Bateman father Glen Richard Dillon, 45, Charlotte Rose and Alexander Richard, were killed when their car crashed into a tree and burst into flames on Albany Highway, near Jarrahdale Rd, at 2.40pm on Sunday.
Police are investigating the crash as a possible murder-suicide.
Mr Dillon, who was separated from his wife, had taken the children on an unsupervised access visit.
In a statement, read today by Ms Dillon's brother-in-law Dr Lachlan Henderson, she claimed her former husband had been mentally unstable and had a history of psychiatric illness.
``I am devastated by the loss of my precious children, Charlotte and Alexander,'' Dr Henderson read on behalf of Ms Dillon this afternoon.
``They were my whole world, and I will always miss them.
``Despite every effort and every Family Court Order, I was not able to protect my beloved children.
``I hope lessons can be learned from this tragedy.
``At the time of my children’s death, my ex-husband, was in breach of a Court Order requiring his access visits to be supervised by a responsible adult.
``Unfortunately, this tragedy was the culmination of protracted Family Court custody proceedings over the last two and a half years.
``I, as well as others, had ongoing concerns about my ex-husband’s mental stability and the children’s safety when in his care because of his history of psychiatric illness.
``I would like to thank my family and friends, the children’s school and the police for their unwavering support during this tragic time.''
Ms Dillon asked for privacy for herself, her family and friends so they could grieve for Charlotte and Alexander.
Police, who are investigating the crash as a possible murder-suicide, today called for information from the public to help trace the movements of the family and the vehicle, a 2000 silver Holden Commodore stationwagon, registration 1DBR 037.
Police are particularly interested in possible sightings between 12.30pm and 2.30pm on Sunday afternoon or witnesses that may have seen them visiting the Serpentine Falls.
Detectives are also examining closed circuit television footage from the Serpentine Falls area in the hope it can shed light on the movements of the family and their demeanour on the day.
Grieving mother tells how children &squo;were my whole world&squo; PerthNow
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