The family of Eleanor Mangion Walker, whose body was found in an Qormi warehouse earlier this month, is raising funds to ensure justice is done, while urging domestic violence victims not to suffer in silence.
“We are taking it one step at a time,” her older sister, Melissa Gaul, told this newspaper. For her, Ms Mangion Walker will always be the person who “created beauty out of nothing”.
“I will remember Eleanor for her cleverly artistic traits. I was always amazed as to how she could create something beautiful even out of a rock. Eleanor could create artwork on anything – from nails to canvas,” she said of her sister, a beautician and make-up artist from Swieqi.
The family received the grim news of Ms Mangion Walker’s violent death on July 3, when the police visited to inform them of the discovery at the warehouse.
In a recently set up blog called Justice for Eleanor, Ms Gaul points out she will not disclose details about the ongoing investigation.
The family, she added, had hired one of Malta’s top criminal lawyers to help get justice for “our Eleanor”.
She will always be the person who created beauty out of nothing... from nails to canvas
On the same blog, Ms Gaul says she will be running the Brighton marathon in April as a tribute to her sister in a bid to help raise funds for the lawyer’s fees, ensuring that the interests of Ms Mangion Walker’s nine-year-old daughter were well represented.
Ms Gaul has participated in similar runs in the past, choosing the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children as her fundraising cause. This time round, she will dedicate the marathon to her sister.
She told this newspaper that while the lawyers were supportive, the sudden financial pressure had weighed on the family and that was why they had turned to the public for assistance.
The funds would also go towards the care of the victim’s daughter, ensuring she received the best education and care she could hope for in the circumstances.
This newspaper was earlier this month informed that while no official domestic violence reports were known to have been filed by Ms Mangion Walker, she had sought legal advice over alleged threats by her estranged husband.
He has been arraigned and is pleading not guilty to murder. Ms Mangion Walker’s death also prompted a march last week themed One Too Many, organised by the Women’s Rights Foundation, to remember women killed by their partners.
Mr Gaul said her relatives had never noticed anything hinting at abuse between the couple and they could not tell whether she was struggling in silence.
Through their blog, the family hope they will increase awareness about domestic violence and provide a link where victims can find help. Those interested can go to http://melissagaulwalker.wix.com/justice-for-eleanor .
Victims can seek support at Victim Support Malta (http://victimsupport.org.mt) and SOAR (www.antidemalta.com/Services/SOAR/SOAR.htm).