KIESHA (ABRAHAMS) WEIPPEART - Aged 6 years - Sydney (Australia)

Sky News Australia

24 April 2011

Abrahams under 24 hour surveillance‎

The mother of murdered Sydney girl Kiesha Abrahams has been placed under 24 hour surveillance in prison.

Kristi Anne Abrahams and her partner Robert Smith have been charged with killing the 6 year old in July last year.

Abrahams has been placed in a 'safe cell' at Silverwater Jail.

Her solicitor describes the 28-year-old as being 'immensely distraught'.

She and Smith are due to face court on Friday.

http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=605020&vId=

The Daily Telegraph

26 April 2011

Tears in the lonely bush for Kiesha Abrahams‎



THE further into the scrub you go the narrower the tracks get.

The wider tracks give way to smaller tracks until, eventually, there is no track left at all and you find walking through scrub with twigs and leaves underneath until, in this case, you come to an opening of freshly scraped earth.

For four hours on Sunday Alison Anderson walked the trails trying to find this place.

It was necessary because this is the place police believe was the final resting place of Kiesha Abrahams, the girl reported missing by her mother, Kristi Abrahams, and stepfather, Rob Smith, in August. On Friday they were charged with her murder.

The manner of Kiesha's disappearance has affected a lot of people, particularly out Alison's way. None more so than Alison, who was Kiesha's neighbour and who had often thrown a ball back and forth with her as she spoke to her mother Kristi, asking how Kiesha was doing at school, or whatever small talk it was they exchanged when they met at the letterbox.

Alison was one of the first by Kristi's side when Kiesha went missing. Kristi even asked Alison to read appeals for Kiesha on her behalf.

And as Kristi's friends quickly dropped away Alison stayed by her, telling her to stay strong.

Soon, some started turning on Alison as well.

Alison got word of an arrest from a family friend last Friday morning. They had been trying to reach her since 2am, about 30 minutes after Abrahams and Smith had been arrested.

"I threw on some clothes and headed straight to the police station," Alison says.

Who knows what she could do?

By Sunday her thoughts were with Kiesha, and she just had to find the grave and for four hours she walked through the bush without having any luck.

Eventually, a sympathetic detective said: "I'll take you to it." She retook the trip to the grave yesterday.

She started near the lane where Abrahams and Smith were arrested after emerging from the bush early Friday.

Sydney Morning Herald

26 April 2011

Police look at death of Kiesha's brother

HOMICIDE detectives plan to reopen an investigation into the death of Kiesha Abrahams's brother after the arrest of her mother and stepfather on Friday over the little girl's murder.

Ayden, the son of Kristi Anne Abrahams, 28, and her former partner, Chris Weippeart, was believed to have died from sudden infant death syndrome more than a year before Kiesha was born.

But following the arrest about 1am on Friday of Kiesha's mother, Ms Abrahams, and stepfather, Robert Smith, 31, police are considering taking another look at Ayden's death.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/police-look-at-death-of-kieshas-brother-20110425-1du5b.html

Courier Mail

27 April 2011

Dad vows dignity for little Kiesha‎


FITTING FAREWELL: Kiesha Abrahams' father Chris Weippeart and his mother Liz have promised to give the murdered Sydney schoolgirl the dignified farewell she deserves. Picture: Tim Hunter Source: The Courier-Mail

THE mourners will wear purple, the music will be songs from Hannah Montana, and little Kiesha Abrahams will finally get a dignified burial.
The father and grandmother of the murdered schoolgirl on Tuesday said they were determined to give Kiesha a farewell befitting the "princess" she was to everyone who knew and loved her.

Kiesha's mother Kristi Abrahams and stepfather Robert Smith were last week charged with her murder.

Police arrested them at her lonely bush grave on what would have been her seventh birthday.

They alleged she was killed on or about July 20 last year, her body cut up, put in a suitcase and taken by taxi to bushland where her remains were dumped.

Chris Weippeart and his mother Liz vowed to overcome the horrible circumstances of her death by giving her a funeral filled with love and colour.


http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/dad-vows-dignity-for-little-kiesha/story-e6freon6-1226045186089

Sydney Morning Herald

27 April 2011

Kiesha's stepfather 'barely says boo'

THE man charged with the murder of six-year-old Kiesha Abrahams has been described as a quiet fellow who barely says ''boo''.

Robert Smith, 31, is being held on remand awaiting his next court appearance on Friday after being charged last week with killing his stepdaughter. Kiesha's mother, Kristi Anne Abrahams, 28, has also been charged with murdering the little girl last July.

But Mr Smith's father, Gordon Smith, who returned to western Sydney on his Harley-Davidson yesterday from a trip to Tamworth, said he hoped his son had nothing to do with ending Kiesha's life.


http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/kieshas-stepfather-barely-says-boo-20110426-1dv5q.html

Mt Druitt Standard

27 April 2011

Breakthrough weekend in Kiesha Abrahams case‎

DETECTIVES involved in the Kiesha Abrahams disappearance and subsequent arrests of two people at the weekend say they will ``probably’’ re-examine the death of her baby brother, Ayden, who died shortly after his birth in 2003, aged six weeks.

``We probably will do,’’ Detective Inspector Russell Oxford, who headed up the Kiesha strike force, said.

This latest news comes comes when detectives hope to have skeletal remains found in a shallow bush grave identified this week.

The remains were found on Friday morning just hours after the arrest of Kiesha’s mother Kristi Abrahams, 28, and stepfather Robert Smith, 31, in an alley on Freya Cres in Shalvey.

They were subsequently charged with Kiesha’s murder.

The arrests come after officers from Strike Force Jarocin conducted what they described as ``a complex nine-month investigation’‘.

The skeletal remains were taken to Glebe Morgue that afternoon.

http://mt-druitt-standard.whereilive.com.au/news/story/breakthrough-weekend-in-kiesha-abrahams-case/

The Courier Pigeon

27 April 2011

Kiesha Abrahams' Father Wants to Know Why She Died‎

http://thecourierpigeon.com.au/kiesha-abrahams%E2%80%99-father-wants-to-know-why-she-died/851537/

Sydney Morning Herald

27 April 2011

More tests to verify bones are Kiesha's‎

DNA testing will have to be carried out to determine whether human remains discovered in Sydney's west belong to Kiesha Abrahams.

A post-mortem has been conducted on the remains, which were discovered in bushland in Shalvey, northwest of the family's home, on Friday.

"(But) the results of the post-mortem examination are inconclusive and further tests are to be conducted," a police spokesman said on Wednesday.

"Police are still awaiting positive identification of the remains via DNA testing."

Six-year-old Kiesha was reported missing from her home in Mount Druitt, in Sydney's west, last year.

It sparked a lengthy police investigation which culminated in her mother Kristi Anne Abrahams, 28 and stepfather Robert Smith, 31, last week being charged with her murder.

The spokesman couldn't confirm media reports that the results of the DNA testing would be available in a few days, saying only police wanted them "sooner rather than later".

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/more-tests-to-verify-bones-are-kieshas-20110427-1dwkt.html

Thanks Twiggy for all this hard work.

It is an awful ending to the search.

Sydney Morning Herald

29 April 2011

Kiesha's mother and stepfather face court‎

The mother and stepfather of Kiesha Abrahams will face court charged with the six-year-old's murder.

Kiesha was reported missing from her home in Mount Druitt, in Sydney's west, last year.

It sparked a lengthy police investigation which culminated in her mother Kristi Anne Abrahams, 28, and stepfather Robert Smith, 31, last week being charged with her murder.

A post-mortem examination was unable to determine whether remains discovered last Friday in bushland in Shalvey, northwest of the family's home, are those of the little girl.

DNA testing is now being carried out.

Abrahams and Smith, who are currently in police custody, are expected to make their first appearance at Penrith Local Court on Friday.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/kieshas-mother-and-stepfather-face-court-20110429-1dz7u.html

Sydney Morning Herald

29 April 2011

Abrahams distraught, lawyer says‎

Kristi Anne Abrahams appeared composed and managed a wave as she faced court for the first time since being charged with the murder of her six-year-old daughter Kiesha.

But her lawyer later told reporters the 27-year-old mother, on remand at Silverwater Women's Correctional Centre in Sydney, is distraught and "finding it hard".

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/abrahams-distraught-lawyer-says-20110429-1dz7u.html

Mt Druitt Standard

29 April 2011

Packed court awaits verdict on Kiesha Abrahams case‎

THE mother of Kiesha Abrahams was calm and showed no sign of emotion as she appeared via audio video link at packed Penrith Local Court this morning.

Kristi Abrahams and her partner Robert Smith were charged with the six-year-old’s murder last Friday, nine months after she was reported missing from the family’s Woodstock Ave, Mt Druitt home.

The matter was adjourned until June 24 at the same court where Ms Abrahams will again appear via video link. A brief is to be served by June 10.

Ms Abrahams’ co-accused, Kiesha’s stepfather Mr Smith did not appear and his legal aid lawyer Chris Brown said he was not required on screen.

She and Mr Smith did not apply for bail or enter a plea and Magistrate David Day formally refused bail.

http://mt-druitt-standard.whereilive.com.au/news/story/packed-court-awaits-verdict-on-kiesha-abrahams-case/

ABC Online

29 April 2011

Protests as Kiesha's mother faces court‎

The mother of Kiesha Abrahams has appeared in a Sydney court charged with murdering her daughter.

Kristi Abrahams appeared at Penrith Local Court via video link, with her hair tied back and dressed in a green prison tracksuit.

She looked teary but composed, her hand covering her mouth.

During the brief appearance Kristi Abrahams answered yes when the Magistrate spoke her name and gave a small wave to her lawyer.

Her co-accused, Kiesha's stepfather Robert Smith, was not required to appear.

No plea was entered and bail was not applied for.

The case has been adjourned until June.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/29/3203307.htm?section=justin

The Daily Telegraph

29 April 2011

Kiesha's parents unwilling to appear‎

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/abrahams-unwilling-to-appear/story-e6freuy9-1226047147973

Herald Sun

2 May 2011

Skeletal remains confirmed as belonging to Kiesha Abrahams‎

•Police deliver bad news to dead girl's dad
•Skeletal remains identified through DNA
•Kiesha's mum, stepdad charged with murder

THE skeletal remains discovered in a shallow grave in Sydney's west have been confirmed as that of allegedly murdered child Kiesha Abrahams.

The six-year-old girl's biological father Chris Weippeart and grandmother Liz were this morning delivered the dreaded news by police.

"We knew this was coming...it doesn't make you feel any better or worse, you just have to keep going the best you can," Ms Weippeart said.

The skeletal remains found at Shalvey, in Sydney's West, on April 22 were taken to the Glebe Morgue for forensic testing and a post mortem examination.

But the initial results were inconclusive, meaning DNA testing had to be carried out to formally identify the remains.

However, results over the weekend confirmed the identity of the remains as that of Kiesha's.

"Chris is coping with the news as best he can... It's yet another blow for him," Ms Weippeart said.

Kiesha's mother Kristi Abrahams and step-father Robert Smith have been charged with her murder.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/skeletal-remains-confirmed-as-kiesha-s/story-e6frf7l6-1226048388461

Sydney Morning Herald

2 May 2011

Bones identified as Kiesha's‎

The scattered skeletal remains found in Shalvey bushland on the fringes of Sydney's western suburbs more than a week ago have been positively identified as those of Kiesha Abrahams.

The six-year-old, whose family prefers be called Kiesha Weippeart after her father, was reported missing from her home in Mount Druitt on August 1 last year.

A nine-month homicide investigation led to the arrest of her mother, Kristi Anne Abrahams and stepfather, Robert Smith, the Friday before last.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/bones-identified-as-kieshas-20110502-1e4mc.html

Sydney Morning Herald

2 May 2011

Remains belong to murdered NSW girl Kiesha‎

Human remains discovered in Sydney's west belong to Kiesha Abrahams, initial DNA testing has confirmed.

The six-year-old was reported missing from her Mount Druitt home in Sydney's west on August 1 last year.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/remains-belong-to-murdered-nsw-girl-kiesha-20110502-1e4s9.html

The Daily Telegraph

4 May 2011

No peace for little Kiesha Weippeart as funeral may be delayed‎

A FUNERAL for little Kiesha Weippeart may not be held for several weeks because of the amount of trauma to her body.
Police yesterday confirmed they have more tests to do on the remains of the alleged murder victim because extensive injuries to her bones have made it difficult to find the exact cause of death.

The news came as a devastating blow to Kiesha's natural father Chris Weippeart and grandmother Liz, who said they are desperate to put the child to rest and give her some much-needed dignity.

"I'm not sure how much more of this sort of bad news we can take," Ms Weippeart said.

"We just want her back, to be able to bury her and give her some peace ... she is just a baby."

DNA tests carried out on the skeletal remains found in a shallow grave in western Sydney bushland on April 22 confirmed they belonged to six-year-old Kiesha. However, police have told the Weippeart family that officers need to do more forensic analysis on the remains before they can be released and buried.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/no-peace-for-little-kiesha-weippeart-as-funerla-may-be-delayed/story-e6freuzi-1226049408918

Mt Druitt Standard

4 May 2011

Community embraces Kiesha as its princess‎

THE positive DNA match connecting skeletal remains found in a shallow grave at Shalvey with Kiesha Weippeart has sparked mixed emotions in a woman who befriended her mother Kristi Abrahams, now charged with murder, along with her step-father Robert Smith.

Accompanying the Standard to the bush grave on Tuesday, where the little girl’s remains were found, Alison Anderson said she felt betrayed.

``It’s hard to come out here. It brings up a lot of emotion,’’ she said.

But she claims that she was one of the lucky ones. She got to see Kiesha ride her bike and hear her laugh.

``Everyone has embraced this little girl as their own,’’ she said.

``It’s amazing how much this community has rallied together.’‘

Ms Anderson said when she heard the news in the early hours of Good Friday that two arrests had been made, she went straight to the police station wearing her purple Kiesha shirt that had only arrived the day before.

``I chased the police paddy wagon down the street, I could hear the whimpering noise inside, I knew it was her,’’ she said.

``I stood by her when Kiesha was first reported missing and did so for the first five weeks before I realised that something wasn’t right.

``It’s been difficult to come to terms with. Now everything I am doing is for Kiesha. We need justice.’‘

http://mt-druitt-standard.whereilive.com.au/news/story/community-embraces-kiesha-as-their-princess/

Penrith Star

4 May 2011

Friends and family rally for Kiesha as her mother appears in court‎

KIESHA'S mother, Kristi Abrahams, appeared in Penrith Court charged with her daughter's murder.
She sat with her face in her hands and did not speak or move as her solicitor told Magistrate David Day she would not apply for bail.

Her co-accused, Robert Smith, who is Kiesha's stepfather, did not appear.

His solicitor told Magistrate Day Mr Smith would not apply for bail.

The police prosecutor said he expected a police brief for the case to be ready by June 10 and Magistrate Day adjourned the hearing to Penrith Court on June 24.

Outside the courthouse were gathered family members and dozens of people who have followed the case since Kiesha was reported missing from her home in Hebersham on August 1 last year by Ms Abrahams and Mr Smith.

People from Mount Druitt held up signs.

http://www.penrithstar.com.au/news/local/news/general/friends-and-family-rally-for-kiesha-as-her-mother-appears-in-court/2153116.aspx

Herald Sun

12 May 2011

Accused ask to leave jail for funeral of Kiesha Weippeart‎

• Pair ask to leave jail to attend funeral

• Girl's father says they're not welcome

• "I'm telling you, they are not coming"

THE mother and stepfather charged with murdering Kiesha Weippeart have said they want to leave jail to attend her funeral.

Family of accused killers Kristi Abrahams and Robert Smith yesterday revealed the pair had indicated they would like to be allowed to publicly farewell the little girl when her funeral is held towards the end of the month.

However, the girl's biological father Chris Weippeart said "hell would freeze over" before Abrahams and Smith would be welcomed at the funeral of his only daughter.

Abrahams and Smith are both being held on remand in Sydney jails, accused of killing Kiesha in July last year, then burying her body in a shallow bush grave.

From his hospital bed in western Sydney yesterday, where he is being treated for complications associated with his diabetes, Mr Weippeart vowed to do whatever he could to stop the pair from being able to attend the funeral.

"My family are the ones left to deal with all of this and arrange the best send-off for Kiesha that she deserves, and, I'm telling you, they are not coming."

His mother Liz Weippeart said: "It infuriates me just thinking about it."

But relatives of Abrahams and Smith said the pair should be allowed to attend the funeral like any other mourner, given the fact that they had raised Kiesha.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/accused-ask-to-leave-jail-for-funeral-of-kiesha-weippeart/story-e6frf7l6-1226054335703

Sky News Australia

12 May 2011

Parents want to attend Kiesha funeral‎

The couple accused of killing six-year-old Keisha Abrahams want to attend her funeral.

Kiesha's mother Kristi Abrahams, 28, and stepfather Robert Smith, 31, have told their families that they wish to leave jail in order to attend the girl's funeral towards the end of the month, News Limited reports on Thursday.

Kiesha was reported missing from her Mount Druitt home in Sydney's west on August 1 last year.

According to court documents, police allege Kiesha was murdered between July 20 and July 27 last year.

Last month, skeletal remains belonging to Kiesha were discovered in a shallow grave in bushland at Shalvey, near her Mount Druitt home.

Smith's mother, Rebecca Smith, told News Limited that the couple should be allowed to attend the funeral.

'I think they should be allowed to go ... they are innocent until proven guilty,' Mrs Smith said.

Kiesha's biological father, Chris Weippeart, 27, has rejected the idea.

http://www.skynews.com.au/national/article.aspx?id=611863&vId=

Associated Press (AAP)

May 12, 2011

Accused wish to attend Kiesha's funeral

The couple accused of murdering six-year-old Sydney girl Kiesha Abrahams want to attend her funeral.

Kiesha's mother Kristi Abrahams, 28, and stepfather Robert Smith, 31, have told their families that they wish to leave jail in order to attend the girl's funeral towards the end of the month, News Limited reports on Thursday.

Kiesha was reported missing from her Mount Druitt home in Sydney's west on August 1 last year.
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According to court documents, police allege Kiesha was murdered between July 20 and July 27 last year.

Last month, skeletal remains belonging to Kiesha were discovered in a shallow grave in bushland at Shalvey, near her Mount Druitt home.

Smith's mother, Rebecca Smith, told News Limited that the couple should be allowed to attend the funeral.

"I think they should be allowed to go ... they are innocent until proven guilty," Mrs Smith said.

Kiesha's biological father, Chris Weippeart, 27, has rejected the idea.

"My family are the ones left to deal with all of this and arrange the best send-off for Kiesha that she deserves, and, I'm telling you, they are not coming ... hell would freeze over (before they would be welcome at the funeral of his only daughter)," he said.

A Corrective Services spokeswoman said the couple had not applied for leave and that it was unlikely they would be able to attend the funeral.

"There would also be security concerns about them attending that could not be addressed at such short notice," the spokeswoman said.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/accused-wish-to-attend-kieshas-funeral-20110512-1ejci.html

Mt Druitt Standard

18 May 2011

Kiesha Abrahams' mother and stepfather denied access to her funeral‎

RUMOURS that Kiesha Weippeart’s mum and stepfather, who have been charged with her murder, would apply to attend the girl’s funeral have been quashed.

Corrective Services Commissioner Ron Woodham recently announced that Kristi Abrahams and Robert Smith would not be allowed at the funeral.

Former friend to Miss Abrahams, Alison Anderson, said she was shocked when she found out they wanted to attend the funeral.

http://mt-druitt-standard.whereilive.com.au/news/story/kieshas-accussed-funeral-request-denied/