The tragic death of a young police officer in Western Australia has left his community in shock, with his partner now facing the prospect of seeing through her pregnancy and raising their child alone.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Lilly Watts, the partner of WA Police officer Liam Trimmer, after his unexpected death at their engagement party.
Mr Trimmer, 29, died in a tragic accident when he fell and suffered a fatal neck injury during the celebration.
Mr Trimmer had planned to share the news that he and Ms Watts were expecting their first child with their friends at the party.
Ms Watts, who works as a clinical registered nurse at Royal Perth Hospital, attempted to save Mr Trimmer with the help of other nurses and police officers present at the party.
Originally from the UK, Trimmer moved to Western Australia with aspirations of building a life Down Under. He joined the Joondalup Police Academy in 2013 and later moved to Kalgoorlie in 2017, where he became well-integrated into the community and participated in local rugby.
He had roles in the gang crime squad and tactical response group during his police career.
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch and Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti have both spoken highly of him, with Mr Blanch calling him an exemplary figure in WA policing and Ms Saffioti expressing sorrow at the “awful tragedy”.
The GoFundMe campaign, aiming to raise $50,000, intends to assist Ms Watts by providing her with necessary support, ranging from counselling to daily living expenses and preparations for their baby’s arrival.
“The evening was meant to be a joyous celebration of Lilly and Liam’s recent engagement and announcing their pregnancy, a huge milestone in their journey together,” the fundraiser reads.
“Friends and family gathered to share in their happiness. In a cruel twist of events, Liam’s life was cut short, leaving behind a void that can never be filled.
“Lilly, a dedicated Clinical Registered Nurse at Royal Perth Hospital, now finds herself navigating uncharted waters. Not only has she lost her soulmate, but she also carries the precious gift of new life within her.
“At almost 14 weeks pregnant, Lilly now faces the prospect of raising a child without her beloved partner, while also grappling with the financial responsibilities that come with home ownership.
“This GoFundMe campaign seeks to provide some solace amidst the darkness that has enveloped Lilly’s life. While no amount of money can bring back Liam or erase the pain of his loss, we hope to ease the burden that now weighs heavily on Lilly’s shoulders.
“The funds raised will enable her to access the support she needs, from counselling to covering the costs of daily living and preparing for the arrival of her baby.”
The fundraiser had raised over $11,000 as of Wednesday night.