http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/re...k/news-story/647278e580c855c5035123c10833af94
THE partner of a French backpacker allegedly murdered by a mentally ill stranger in the remote Northern Territory outback has relived the horror attack in a series of emotional interviews with police.
Aurelie Chorier, 30, and Philippe Jegouzo, 33, had been in Australia for just a week when Mr Jegouzo was allegedly stabbed to death by Pande Veleski after the trio crossed paths at Connor Well rest stop, 95km north of Alice Springs, on November 30.
Ms Chorier allegedly tried to save her partner by hurling a picnic table at Mr Veleski before flagging down a nurse and her husband as they drove past moments later en route to Ti Tree Health Clinic.
News.com.au can reveal that Ms Chorier was so traumatised by what she witnessed that police had to take her official statement over several sessions after the 30-year-old repeatedly broke down.
“She was trying to talk but she kept breaking down and crying, it was horrible, very horrible,” Maya Cifali, who was brought in by detectives to act as Mr Chorier’s interpreter, told news.com.au.
“I was trying my best to support her, to help her give her statement to police and it was so very hard for her and we had to do many sessions.”
Ms Cifali, who is known in the Northern Territory as a tireless campaigner for mental health, refugees and victims of domestic violence, said Ms Chorier struggled to cope in theaftermath.
“She couldn’t eat, she couldn’t sleep ... it’s very traumatising to see your man die in front of your very eyes while you are helpless to do anything,” she said.
“She was in a miserable condition.”
Ms Cifali revealed French consulate officials flew Ms Chorier’s sister from France last Sunday to support her sibling in Alice Springs, where the grieving woman had been staying in a safe house following treatment for shock at Alice Springs Hospital.
It is understood Ms Chorier’s family hails from Annemasse, a city in the Haute-Savoie region of France on the border of Geneva, Switzerland.
It is not clear whether any of Mr Jegouzo’s relatives have travelled to Australia and police and French consulate officials are remaining tight-lipped about when his body is likely to be flown home.
“The French Consulate-General in Sydney has already been able to provide its support to the victim’s family and will continue to provide its assistance in the coming days,” a spokesman said in a statement to news.com.au.
“At this stage, we are not in a position to disclose any private and personal information regarding this case and refer you to the Police’s statements.”