THE family and friends of a man who drove his two young sons off a pier to their deaths have raised a beer at the scene of the crime.
The Adelaide Advertiser says Damien Little’s relatives raised the toast on the pier, which has become a makeshift memorial of teddy bears and toys.
Koda Little, 4, and Hunter, 10 months, were driven to their deaths by their father, Damien Little, 34, last week.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the boys’ mother, Melissa Little, has been too distraught to speak.
Mr Little’s parents have told the Adelaide Advertiser their son – one of five boys – had spiralled into a “dark” space.
“He was very particular about everything he did. I think he wanted to be perfect – he wanted to be a perfect father and husband. He wanted to do everything right. He was very hard on himself. He wanted to live a perfect life,” his mother is reported as saying.
“Over the past three years he had a bit of a problem, we had noticed a change. When we saw (it) the whole family tried to help him. He had a lot of people offering help. We tried to help him, we all did. But you can’t help somebody who can’t help himself.”
The local football club where Mr Little played is planning a get-together to remember the boys this weekend.
In a statement, the parents said: “In relation to our recent family tragedy, we would like to thank the South Australia Police Force, emergency and diving services and our local community as a whole on your care and support over the past two days.
“The families also said they felt media coverage of the tragedy had been sympathetic and supportive but requested time to grieve in private.”
For support and information about suicide prevention contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
