Killing of Rekiah O'Donnell explained

Rekiah O'Donnell
Birth Date:April 13, 1991
Death Date:October 2013 (aged 22)
Death Place:Australia
Death Cause:Homicide (gunshot wound to the temple)
Known For:Shooting victim
Nelson Lai
Known For:The killing of Rekiah O'Donnell

In October 2013, 22-year-old Australian woman Rekiah O'Donnell was shot and killed by her boyfriend, Nelson Lai, in his home in Sunshine, a suburb of Melbourne. At the time of the shooting, Lai was under the influence of a purified form of methamphetamine known as "ice".

O'Donnell died of a single gunshot wound to the head. During the trial, Lai told the Victorian Supreme Court in 2015 that the killing of O'Donnell was an "accident" and he "didn't know there was one [bullet] in it" when referring to the gun.[1] During the 14-month relationship, Lai allegedly beat and punched O'Donnell and made threats, including a text message reading "I'll kill you, rat".[2] The jury found Lai guilty of manslaughter over the 22-year-old's death.

Since the death, O'Donnell's family has made a Change.org petition to create an Australian law called "Rekiah's Law".[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ice addict Nelson Lai who fatally shot girlfriend Rekiah O'Donnell cleared of murder. 13 May 2015. ABC News. 4 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150704084825/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-13/ice-addict-who-shot-fatally-girlfriend-cleared-of-murder/6467516. 4 July 2015.
  2. Web site: Family of domestic violence victim Rekiah O'Donnell say more must be done to protect women from abuse. 14 May 2015. Shannon. Deery. Elissa. Doherty. 4 July 2015. Herald Sun.
  3. Web site: He texted 'I'll kill you, rat'. And he did. Australia, we need Rekiah's Law. 21 May 2015. Grace. Edquist. Mamamia. 4 July 2015.