Grieving mom of five boys, aged between 11 and 3, killed in horror house fire leaves funeral in tears
Samantha Stephenson’s five sons and husband Wayne Godinet died in the house fire in early August
RUSSELL ISLAND, AUSTRALIA: A mother could not control her emotions and reportedly failed to pay her tributes during her children and husband’s funeral.
Samantha Stephenson lost her five sons – aged between 11 to three years old – and her husband Wayne Godinet in early August in a house fire, the Daily Mail reported.
The 28-year-old woman’s husband, 34, died while saving the lives of 11-year-old Zac, Harry, 10, four-year-old twins Kyza and Koah, and three-year-old Nicky.
It has been said that Godinet spent his final moments trying to protect the children from the fatal flames.
Wayne Godinet ‘was their dad’
On Tuesday, September 5, a traditional Maori ceremony was held while remembering those who lost their lives.
However, Stephenson fell unconscious at the service, which was organized at Eco Memorial Park in Stapylton. She could not pay homage to her late family members.
The woman’s sister Christina, however, paid the tribute and reportedly said, “This room is filled with a sorrow so deep, there are no words to describe it.”
“Everyone here today was looking forward to watching these five little boys grow up to become men … but along with their loving father, they were taken way too soon, leaving us to come to grips with this great loss,” she added.
Christina also revealed that Zack and Harry were not Godinet’s biological children but he'd “embraced the boys”. “He was their dad. A protector of his family, Wayne's commitment knew no bounds,” she asserted.
Stephenson’s other sister Angela also gave a speech, saying, “I don't understand how this could happen to such innocent beings who grew their wings too soon.”
She added, “To all my boys, to all our boys. Nothing will ever fill this chasm of grief, I think I will miss you forever like the sun misses the moon and the stars as it rises again.”
How did the fire begin?
Earlier 9News reported that the investigators have said that "some elements" of the fire need "closer scrutiny."
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll stated, “Everything should be treated suspiciously until we know otherwise, but we should also keep a very open mind.”
“It's a very close-knit community and these tragedies hit very hard wanted to make sure the brigade knows there's lots of support around them,” Fire Commissioner Greg Leach noted.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe was started to help Stephenson monetarily. The message written there read, “We have started this GoFundMe to assist Samantha in the cost of putting her beautiful family to rest as in funeral services, caskets, and everything else that comes with laying your family members to rest.”
