Devastated dad of hairdresser killed in gangland crossfire refuses to leave her side even at grave site
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: The devastated father of a hairdresser whose life was cut short almost two weeks ago during a gangland hit was unable to leave her side even when he was bidding his final goodbye during the funeral. Amneh 'Amy' al-Hazouri was killed on August 13 after hitmen fired multiple rounds into the car she was in with her client Lametta Fadlallah.
It has been said that Amy was a “collateral damage” as Fadlallah was the actual target. While the 48-year-old mother-of-two was laid to rest on Monday, August 22, al-Hazouri’s final procession took place on Friday, August 26, which was attended by her father Khaled Hazouri, who flew from Lebanon to see his daughter one last time, The Daily Mail reported.
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As per reports, Hazouri looked distressed and restless as he sat near his daughter's gravesite at Rookwood cemetery. He also went to sit in the dirt at the corner of his daughter’s freshly dug plot and refused to leave while people present there tried to convince him to get up from the grave.
The burial reportedly happened in front of at least 60 people while Oman said prayers. As the procession unfolded, Hazouri could not control himself and embraced undertaker Ahmad Hraichie for some comfort. People left wreaths of white flowers, bouquets and two heart-shaped wreaths close to Amy’s grave. Mourners also released pink and white balloons in the air in her memory later in the day.
The hairdresser’s mother Elham Meliji reportedly could not make it to Australia on time and she had to livestream the service from Austria. Amy’s friend and salon client, Louisa Sakr, said that due to delayed flights Meliji missed the final goodbye personally. Sakr claimed that the loss was “unbearable" for Meliji and her other daughter, Manal Raunegger. She also added that the duo “were just lost”.
Reports said that first the family wanted to bury Amy in Lebanon. Her sister Manal had even launched a GoFundMe to make the arrangements but later it was decided that she should be laid to rest in Australia. Amy’s mother had earlier said that she spoke to her over the phone hours before she was shot down. The grieving mother had told ABC: “In the morning I was on a call with her. She told me, 'Mama I'm with a client, let me finish dying her hair.’”
“She told me, 'I'll finish the client and call you.' I told her, 'Darling, I have the day off today so I want to talk to sort out the Lebanon travel plan,’” Meliji said, who also added that she and Amy were planning to go to Lebanon for her engagement party to Ahmed Ghalayni in November. The mother described Amy as “a fluttering bird. Amy was like a feather. Amy was all the compassion in the universe, not because she's my daughter I swear. I swear to God ... Amy was so sweet and kind, and emotional. She didn't like violence. She didn't like blood. What can I tell you about Amy? No matter what I say, it won't be enough.”
Following the tragedy, Ghalayni had also expressed his devastation and added: “In two months it was going to be our engagement, she had gotten her dress, she had gotten everything. I couldn't move my hands or my mouth, praise be to Allah.”