A year after Courtney's death, mother remembers her 'little girl'

25 May 2020, 05:01 by Simone Fox Koob

It’s been exactly one year since her daughter was taken from her.

But for Maxie Antoniou, it could have been yesterday that homicide detectives were knocking at her door to deliver the news every parent dreads.

https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.151%2C$multiply_2.1164%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0/t_crop_custom/q_62%2Cf_auto/8769fbdc9533212a8ddbc5b23880e2684c5688ef — Courtney Herron's mother Maxie remembers her daughter as the family marks one year since her death.Credit: Jason South

On Monday, exactly one year since she learnt her eldest child and daughter Courtney Herron had been found dead in a park in Melbourne's inner-north, Maxie gathered with a small group of family and friends to remember her "little girl".

The family priest carried out a traditional memorial service at Courtney’s grave, where she has been buried with her Pappou – her beloved grandfather.

As extended family gathered around the tombstone in the autumn sun, Maxie wept.

“My little girl. I can’t believe it’s today,” she said.

https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.138%2C$multiply_2.1164%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0/t_crop_custom/q_62%2Cf_auto/3fe7b89399bdad9fb328dd5cf910696a5f9c0c9b — Courtney Herron was buried beside her grandfather.Credit: Jason South

Maxie said the beautiful weather was a sign that Courtney and her Pappou are together and are happy. Also present at the service were Courtney's grandmother and younger brother and sister.

Courtney, who was raised in Melbourne's northern suburbs in a Greek-Australian family, was found dead behind logs at Royal Park in Parkville on the morning of May 25. Police said at the time that Ms Herron had been the victim of a "horrendous bashing".

Henry Hammond, 27, pleaded not guilty to the murder in December and the case will now continue in the Supreme Court.

It is one year since detectives from the homicide squad knocked on Maxie's door to let her know her daughter's body had been found.

https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_1.575%2C$multiply_2.1164%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_79/t_crop_custom/q_62%2Cf_auto/b1628888e8a20b1b35532f47327707c22b80e588 — Courtney Herron with her mother Maxie.

“I saw them walking in, in plain clothes, and I knew. My first words were: ‘The girl in the park. It’s Courtney, isn't it?’ And they asked me to sit down.”

“I just don’t want her to be forgotten and I want justice to be done for her. And I will keep fighting until that happens,” she said.

“I will always remember the words of homicide squad Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper that Courtney had died in a ‘horrendous bashing’ and was a ‘vulnerable’ person who was failed by the society who should have protected her.

“I pray and hope that justice is served.

https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.147%2C$multiply_2.1164%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0/t_crop_custom/q_62%2Cf_auto/63605bd59a509b8f06e33a10ef9e4748555d5a58 — Courtney Herron's family and friends at a memorial service marking one year since her death.Credit: Jason South

"May Courtney rest in paradise, eternally safe with her Papouli.”

The past year has been “horrendous”, she said.

“The manner in which she died is just so horrendous … nothing prepares you for going through it,” she said.

“I feel like I’ve just been treading water … it’s really taking it’s toll on me.”

https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.136%2C$multiply_2.1164%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0/t_crop_custom/q_62%2Cf_auto/0a3173c0510662f02fd06a76c94cbd0b440229ec — Courtney Herron's mother Maxie at the vigil for her daughter last year.Credit: Eddie Jim

“I will not stop fighting for her. Courtney will never be forgotten.”

Ms Herron was farewelled during a funeral in June at a Greek Orthodox church in Melbourne’s north-west.

A vigil was also held in the days after her death at the spot where her body was found in Royal Park.

If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or beyondblue 1300 224 636.