“Our Darkest Hour!”: The devastated family of allegedly m*rd*red mum Jana Armstrong leaves a tight-knit community completely paralyzed with grief and breaking down in floods of tears after bravely exposing a shattering, tear-jerking confession as hundreds tragically gather for a deeply emotional and devastating final vigil
A four-month-old baby was cradled in a crowd of hundreds, there to pay tribute to his mother, allegedly ki*led by her ex.
Hundreds gathered in Toowoomba’s city centre on Friday night to honour local mother Jana Armstrong, allegedly murdered by her former partner, and father to her son, earlier this month.
Her four-month-old baby was among the crowd in the regional town west of Brisbane, cradled by Ms Armstrong’s family, including her sister Faith Isaacs.
Many in attendance wore green – Ms Armstrong’s favourite colour.
The thirty-year-old’s family first raised the alarm when they realised she did not return home to her little boy on July 7.
Ms Isaacs previously said Ms Armstrong always “wanted to be a mum” and “lived every day, every minute” for her son.
Ms Isaacs and her husband Michael have taken guardianship of Ms Armstrong’s son.
Speaking to the grieving community on Friday night, Ms Isaacs described how she hoped Ms Armstrong would live on past her death.
“We miss Jana every single day,” Ms Isaacs said.
“We will always love her, always remember her, and will never stop saying her name.
“If sharing her story saves even one life, then her legacy will continue to make a difference.”
“We hope Jana’s story encourages people to speak up, seek help and look out for those around them.”
Ms Armstrong’s aunt Kathy Sweedman spoke of her niece’s dedication and love as a new mother.
“She was so much more than my niece, she was someone I loved deeply and I feel incredibly lucky to watch her grow into a beauty woman she became.
“Most of all, the most beautiful mother to her baby boy.”
Before her alleged killer’s arrest, concerned family and friends turned out in droves to search for the young mother, the wider Toowoomba community later sending donations and gifts of support to the family upon the news of her death.
Her alleged murder gripped the community, with many residents choosing to leave their porch lights on when her death was confirmed.
Heartbroken family members of m*rd*red mother Jana Armstrong face accused in court
More than $75,000 has been raised to support the family and Ms Armstrong’s son.
Ms Isaacs thanked the community for their help.
“The support we received has been overwhelming — every person who searched for Jana, shared her photo, came here tonight or donated or simply stood by our side has helped us get through the darkest time of our lives,” she said.
In attendance at the vigil, hosted by Toowoomba domestic violence prevention and support group Protea Place, were Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki, Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Amanda Camm, federal member Garth Hamilton, and senior police.
“Every 11 days a woman is killed by someone she trusts in our country,” Mr Janetzki said to the crowd.
“These are women we have gone to school with, they are women we have worked with, we have played sports with, we share our everyday lives with them.”
Ex-partner charged with murder
Ms Armstrong’s car was found parked, unlocked, in the middle of the road near her Newtown home in Toowoomba the day after her disappearance.
On July 12, her body was found on Esk Hampton Rd, nearly an hour away, by a group of pig hunters.
Her former partner and father to her child Dharminder Singh, 48, was soon after charged with murder and arson, with both classified as domestic violence offences.
He was remanded in custody and will appear back in Toowoomba court on October 1.