There’s one girl I can’t stop thinking about, one girl I can’t get out of my mind.
Her name is Mia Ayliffe-Chung.
A 21-year-old doing all the things us 20-somethings do. Travelling around the world, meeting friends from completely different continents, dancing until daylight and making memories to get us through those long work days.
Mia was acting like any other British backpacker when her life was snatched by someone who had a ‘romantic’ obsession with her. A man who apparently told people he and Mia were married; who felt justified to have a claim over her.; who stabbed her repeatedly until her bright light was extinguished.
I've seen his face and the picture, that same picture of him I know you've seen too. Sunglasses on, shirt off, with a small and subtle smirk across his face.
I've read the headlines. About how he screamed "Allahu akbar" both during the attack and his arrest. About his Facebook statuses that seemed suspicious. About his murder charge and how on Friday he was beamed up into the court via videolink because it's alleged he was too violent to bring to court.
I'm angry that I know this much about him. Which is why I've made a decision.
I will not type out his name with my furious fingers. I will not remember him. I will not remember his name.
Instead, there is someone else I will remember. I will remember Tom Jackson, who we've heard so little about.
Tom Jackson lost his life in hospital on Tuesday, one week after the callous attack. His father, who flew in from the UK to see his son, was by his side.
Tom Jackson is the hero who came to Mia's aid. In the process he was stabbed 15 times and received critical head injuries.
Today I will think about him and after today I will continue to remember him because these are the people who bring light to the darkest of places. These are the helpers, there are always helpers and it is a tragedy that Tom traded his heroism for his life.
But Tom Jackson, I will say it over and over and over until the darkness is gone. When I'm angry I will remember him and claim the only power that I have. To remember the pure and good and not the evil and bad.
To hold onto that power with everything I have, the power that was taken away from Mia. I won't remember the name of Mia Ayliffe-Chung's murderer. Instead, I'll remember Tom Jackson.
If you would like to help support Tom Jackson's family, you can make a donation by clicking here.
Top Comments
So glad someone gave the guy more recognition than any mainstream was willing to give. I read the news and see such little mention of the guy who out good life in the line to try and save another and paid dearly for it. I wondered about the guy but the Media never mentioned his name or put any emphasis on him, they prefer to focus on the darkness. Hope he pulls through ok. Has anyone started a funding campaign to help tom Jackson get his life back together and cover his families travel expenses ?
Hi Regan. I live an hour away from Home Hill in a town that also also employs lots of backpackers for our farm season and there has been constant updates on Tom's condition on the radio, local, state and national tv news and newspapers and everyone has been thinking of him and praying for his survival. We have a lot larger contingent of backpackers and it has hit both them and us locals that it could have happened here and that has really hit home. Our town has been in the spotlight like Home Hill for all the wrong reasons and our thoughts are also with the community who quiet, safe town has forever changed. RIP Tom & Mia. You will not be forgotten.
I am so grateful there are men like Tom Jackson - what an amazing HERO! RIP Mia xx