Killing of Rekiah O'Donnell

In October 2013, Australian woman Rekiah O'Donnell was shot and killed by her boyfriend, Nelson Lai, in his home in Sunshine, a suburb of Melbourne.[1] At the time of the shooting, Lai was under the influence of a purified form of methamphetamine known as "ice".

Rekiah O'Donnell
BornApril 13, 1991
DiedOctober 2013 (aged 22)
Australia
Cause of deathHomicide (gunshot wound to the temple)
Known forShooting victim
Nelson Lai
Known forThe killing of Rekiah O'Donnell

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 "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]

References
  1. "Ice addict Nelson Lai who fatally shot girlfriend Rekiah O'Donnell cleared of murder". ABC News. 13 May 2015. Archived from the original on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  2. Deery, Shannon; Doherty, Elissa (14 May 2015). "Family of domestic violence victim Rekiah O'Donnell say more must be done to protect women from abuse". Herald Sun. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  3. Edquist, Grace (21 May 2015). "He texted 'I'll kill you, rat'. And he did. Australia, we need Rekiah's Law". Mamamia. Retrieved 4 July 2015.


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