Family Of Murdered Baby Break Their Silence Over Tragic Whispering Wall Incident

The family of Kobi Shepherdson has spoken out after the nine-month-old was involved in a suspected heartbreaking murder-suicide in South Australia.

Police believe the baby girl was strapped to her father Henry's chest on Wednesday (April 21) afternoon when he jumped off the Whispering Wall in the Barossa Valley north of Adelaide.

Henry died when paramedics arrived and Kobi was unresponsive. She was later pronounced dead.

The baby's aunt, Leisa Shepherdson Casey, has penned a devastating message on Facebook as her family grieves the tragic loss.

"We are completely devastated. My heart is heavy and my tears are dry, robbed in the most cruellest way of my beautiful niece Kobi," she wrote.

"Auntie Leis loves you little poppet. You'll be forever in my heart."

The fall from the top of the Whispering Wall is 36 metres and witnesses have told authorities about watching in disbelief and horror when the incident happened.

Police revealed yesterday (April 22) that detectives were treating the incident as a murder-suicide based off the evidence they have about the family dynamic.

SA Police Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott said they have started an investigation into the circumstances that happened prior to the fall.

"Our very early investigation has shown some history of domestic violence involved with this family," he said.

"We have been speaking with the mother in relation to this matter, and no one else is being sought in relation to these deaths.

"This is a highly distressing and emotional incident that has and is affecting people who witnessed this incident, those who tried to help Kobi, emergency services personnel, family and friends."

South Australia's Attorney-General Vickie Chapman added: "This is a tragic and traumatic event. Our thoughts are with Kobi's mother, her family and friends at this difficult time. The matter will be subject to a full investigation, and we will be watching that process closely."

The incident has sparked an outpouring of grief in the community, with many locals shocked.

Lorraine March told The Advertiser: "I think people will be terribly sad and disheartened that this has happened in this little township."

Local MP Stephan Knoll added to ABC Radio Adelaide: "It is just heartbreaking. It does hit everybody hard and we all do need to band together. But that's the beauty of a community like the Barossa.

"Whenever these things happen, we do what we can to look after each other."

The Whispering Wall has been an attraction site for years as people flock to try out its unique ability to spread sound.

Due to the curvature of the dam and where it's located, people can stand on opposite ends of the wall and whisper something and have it heard crystal clear by the other person.

Featured Image Credit: SA Police

Topics: Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie