MELISSA Little lost her two young sons and her husband in a horror murder-suicide. Now she’s opened up about her grief and recovery. / Ten
A heartbroken mother who lost her two sons and husband in a murder-suicide two years ago has opened up about her immense grief and how she has since found happiness.
Melissa Little lost her whole world when husband Damien, 34, packed their two young boys — Koda, 4, and Hunter, nine months — in to the family car, shot them where they sat and then drove the vehicle off the Port Lincoln pier at high speed into the ocean.
Melissa was left to pick up the pieces, and desperately search for answers. But despite battling immense grief, she refused to let the sadness break her.
Melissa Little lost everything on January 4, 2016. Photo / Channel 10
In a television interview on Channel 10, Melissa opened up about how she tried to move on following the tragedy, finding new love and becoming a mother to a little girl.
"When you love and trust someone … you never in your wildest dreams think they are capable of such an event as this," she told The Sunday Project host Lisa Wilkinson.
"I've had to put that day aside because that's not how I want to remember my boys. I don't think we will ever have answers as to why."
Melissa, who described her eldest son as being "full of life" and having an "energetic, cheeky personality", said Koda was a doting brother to his younger sibling, Hunter.
But since that dark day when she lost everything, Melissa has returned to work as an early childhood teacher, twice walked the Kokoda Track, and even written a children's book on grief. In that time, the 32-year-old has also found new love with partner Lachlan Napier, who she shares a beautiful baby girl with, named Lola.
Damien and Melissa Little with sons Koda, 4, and Hunter, nine months.
"I didn't know that I was ready to trust again, or ready to even find love, but … it might sound cliched, but when the right person comes along, you just know," she said.
"To fall pregnant straight away and have a beautiful young girl, a little sister to my sons, it's something we both knew that we wanted.
"I will continue to survive. I will continue to honour the memory and lives of my two precious boys but I will also enjoy the moments with Lachy and Lola."
Melissa met Lachlan when she was training for True Grit, a military style obstacle course event. The pair travelled to Papua New Guinea not long after, carrying two teddy bears to represent her boys, as they walked the Kokoda Track.
Koda and Hunter Little were killed by their father Damien Little in a murder-suicide.
The courageous woman said she decided to keep her job as a teacher for her son Koda, to teach his friends and be strong for the other children.
"I completed a year, and it was the hardest year, but I wouldn't change a thing," Melissa said.
After completing the Track, Melissa returned home to write a book about grief — knowing she wasn't the only one experiencing sadness. Titled, Yesterday You Were Here, the children's book will be published next month and distributed throughout South Australian schools after the Education Department spent $10,000 buying more than 600 copies. With anecdotes from some of Koda's friends, it will be used to help kids understand grief.
Melissa Little, Lachlan Napier, baby Lola and Lisa Wilkinson in Port Lincoln for their interview on The Sunday Project. Photo / Network 10
"It's hard to hear those stories," she said. "But I wouldn't want it any other way. I want to hear those stories because to me, that just shows they still remember him. That he had such an impact on their lives.
"One thing that I have learnt is that life is far too precious and can be far too short, so just enjoy every moment and be present in every moment."
WHERE TO GET HELP:
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
