Candles light up night to honour Melbourne mother Brooke Stephens

The family of a Melbourne woman have remembered her as a beautiful, loving mother at a vigil held one week after she was allegedly murdered in her own home.

As the sun set over a park in Clyde North in Melbourne’s south-east on Sunday, hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects to local woman Brooke Stephens.

Ms Stephens, 29, died after her partner allegedly attacked her inside their Clyde North home on July 26.

Her partner, 32-year-old Jorden Turney, has been charged with her murder and will face a committal hearing in November.

Memories of Ms Stephens were shared at the vigil, including her love of basketball, which she coached.

Family member Kelly-Ann Faulkner said the majority of the family were still in shock.

“It’s really shaken the whole, entire family,” she said.

“She has two beautiful little boys that have been devastated by this horrific incident.”

Ms Faulkner said the two boys had lost their best friend.

“Her sons are in the worst place you could possibly ever think of,” she said.

“They won’t get to grow up with their mum; they’ll go to bed every night wondering where their mum is.”

Another family member, Lachlan Timmins, fought through tears as he remembered Brooke as a “beautiful, loving sister”.

“A good role model to those kids,” he said.

Vigil organiser Em Ross said the event was being held to honour Ms Stephen’s memory.

“We are here to acknowledge the life she lived, the people who loved her, and the devastating loss being felt by her family, her friends and the wider community,” Ms Ross said.

“To Brooke’s family and loved ones, we extend our deepest condolences. We cannot begin to understand the weight of your grief, but we hope tonight shows that you are not alone.”

As darkness fell across the park, candles were lit and passed around to each attendee, before a minutes silence.

“May each candle represent our collective love, our sorrow and our commitment to creating a safer community,” Ms Ross said.

When the 500 candles prepared for the vigil were all taken, people began lighting their mobile phones and shining them into the darkness in support, illuminating the winter night.

Attendees share concerns about domestic violence

Family violence campaigner Sherele Moody from Australian Femicide watch was in attendance at the vigil, and said domestic and family violence was “a continuing epidemic in this country”.

Ms Moody called out the state government for perceived inaction on violence against women.

“Victoria has got the highest femicide toll in Australia this year,” she said.

Ms Moody said she was being contacted by women in Victoria “every day” who told her they were unable to access support services after experiencing violence.

“We’re not even remotely near where we should be to end violence against women and children in this country,” she said.

“It’s on the state governments to step up and deliver proper fully-funded support services.”