The grieving partner of a County Durham man stabbed to death in Australia ‘screamed’ down the phone after learning of his death.
Royce Mallett, 30, had moved down under just months before he was fatally wounded in a knife attack in a motel car park in Albury, New South Wales, on July 8.
Police said he was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Local David Summers-Smith, 28, was arrested nearby and later charged with murder.
Caitlin has been with Royce for six-and-a-half years. (Image: CAITLIN O'KEEFE/SWNS)
Speaking for the first time since his death, Royce's girlfriend Caitlin O'Keefe, 23, revealed she had desperately tried to call him after being given the crushing news.
Heartbroken Caitlin, mother to Royce's kids - Rose, five and Roman, one - said: "I tried to ring his phone, and I was just screaming, saying ‘Answer the phone’.
"But obviously, he wasn’t going to answer. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with my life when he’s not here.
“We were together six and a half years. It’s not something that you can just get over easily, especially when I’ve got his kids to look after as well.
Royce and Caitlin had two children together. A daughter, Rose, and son Roman. (Image: CAITLIN O'KEEFE/SWNS)
“They are quite young. They don’t really understand where daddy is and it’s a lot to explain to them.
“No child - a one or five-year-old - should really have to hear that their dad’s not going to be around anymore and definitely shouldn’t have to hear what’s happened to him.”
Caitlin believed that Roy, of Haswell, County Durham, had been the victim of a 'random' attack and had been sitting with his best mate Carl when he was stabbed.
She added: "As far as I’m aware, he was parked in a car.
Royce Mallett. (Image: CAITLIN O'KEEFE/SWNS)
"His best friend was in the passenger seat, and some random man has just come up to the car and stabbed him through the window."
Full-time mum Caitlin said loving Royce had a “bubbly” character and had been an “amazing dad” to their two kids.
And she said his desire to provide the best start in life for them had led him to go to Australia with Carl at the start of March this year.
She said: “He just wanted to make a better life for our family. It was a good opportunity. He decided to go out. Him and his best mate jumped on a plane.
"He was doing a mix of different types of things. It was something to do with road work, I believe, doing driveways.
Caitlin O'Keefe with Royce Mallett and daughter Rose. (Image: CAITLIN O'KEEFE/SWNS)
“He was bubbly. He always had a joke to tell or a crazy story. He was an amazing dad, he did everything he could for his kids.
"It didn’t matter the expense or the travel – he did it. There was nothing that was too much for him to do for his kids ever."
Caitlin said Royce particularly loved off-road driving and had shared his passion for it with the rest of his family.
She added: “He used to race Land Rovers. He was very much into his Land Rovers and off-roading, he did quite a few competitions, challenges, speed races and trials.
Royce Mallett. (Image: CAITLIN O'KEEFE/SWNS)
“We were quite involved in off-road clubs across the North East. It was just his passion really, he absolutely loved jumping in a car and getting muddy.”
Caitlin said Royce had been due to return to the UK on August 11.
She said: “There was a lot of thought into it because he knew he’d be leaving me and the kids behind. But it was only supposed to be temporary.
“It’s just an awful thing.”
Royce with his one-year-old son Roman. (Image: CAITLIN O'KEEFE/SWNS)
A police spokesperson said: "Emergency services were called to a carpark on Wodonga Place about 6:15pm on Monday, 8 July 2024, and found a 30-year-old man with a stab wound to his chest.
Recommended reading:
- Darlington grandma's plea to receive potentially life changing breast cancer drug
- Killer who stabbed woman 60 times 'has enduring shame' as release recommended
- County Durham man left feeling like a 'leper' after ex-wife's harassment campaign
Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access for 4 months for just £4, or get 40% off an annual subscription with our latest offer. Click here.
"NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the man at the scene before he was taken to Albury Base Hospital; however, he later died.
"A crime scene was established with police commencing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
"Following inquiries, police arrested a 28-year-old man on Olive Street, Albury, about 9.10pm on Monday (8 July 2024).
"He was taken to Albury Police Station where he was charged with murder."
Caitlin is now hoping to raise £20,000 to bring Royce’s body back to the UK so he can be buried. You can donate via GoFundMe.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here