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Mom of Cassius Turvey, 15, killed in alleged racial attack, lauds community's response to tragedy

A number of vigils and rallies have been planned around the country and overseas for the tragic Noongar boy who died in Perth's northeast last week

PERTH, AUSTRALIA: The devastated mother of 15-year-old Cassius Turvey, who died after allegedly being chased and bashed with a metal pole, told a group of mourners how her son's demise was "bringing the community together." 

A number of vigils and rallies have been planned around the country and overseas for the tragic Noongar boy who died in Perth's northeast last week. 21-year-old Jack Brearley has been accused of his murder and is expected to appear in court next month. Cassius' grieving mother Mechelle Turvey thanked Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for condemning her son's alleged murder as "racially motivated" at a gathering at Midland’s Weeip Park.

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“It’s the words the country has been waiting for,” she told fellow mourners on Saturday, October 29. “They’re just words but they mean so much to us.” Mechelle is now seeking the same acknowledgment from WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch.

Blanch said he was "horrified" by what happened but warned people against making premature statements about the alleged attacker's motivation until the case moves through the courts. “When it comes to this case, we all want justice for Cassius. The best way we can do that is to let the court process take its course. Why would any of us put that in jeopardy?” Blanch explained. “We’ve seen it in the past. Juries can be let go, trials can be adjourned. Justice can be delayed. None of us want that for Cassius.”

A similar response was issued by Premier Mark McGowan on Thursday, October 27. “They [Cassius’ family] are going through a lot and it’s unimaginable really. I just urge everyone to let the law run its course," he said. “It’s before the courts, courts will decide these things.”

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the community event on Saturday, with actor and Yamatji man Ernie Dingo and Fremantle Dockers star Michael Walters also in attendance. Mechelle spoke to the large gathering as many more vigils and rallies demanding justice are expected to take place across Australia, New Zealand, and even Los Angeles. “He’s not just my loss, he’s everyone’s loss, even people that didn’t know him,” the heartbroken mother said of her son. “This is the worst thing to happen but this is just amazing, it’s just bringing the community together. This is black and white, you can see the diversity of people here.”

Rapper Adam Briggs was among several high-profile Indigenous Australians to speak out in wake of the boy's death. “Blackfullas will always be in the ‘Wrong place at the wrong time’ in this racist country,” he tweeted. “I can’t begin to explain the rage this brings me. It’s too easy to draw a comparison of ‘what if it was a white kid?’”

Meanwhile, Indigenous star The Bachelorette Brooke Blurton posted an Instagram story to voice her frustration at the teenager's alleged killing. “Recently, a poor 15-year-old called Cassius Turvey passed away because of the injuries he sustained walking home from school ... because of mistaken identity or whatever the reason. F--- knows why. He’s a 15-year-old kid, for f---’s sake. We’re just so tired of seeing these senseless acts of violence and racism, that stereotype, happen every day to the result of our young people dying. When does it stop?” Blurton fumed.

Loved ones have set up a GoFundMe campaign to support the family and cover funeral expenses, raising nearly $490,000 at the time of publication. According to WA Today, a candlelight vigil will be held at Midland Oval in Perth on Monday night for those who want to pay tribute to the deceased child.