Yesterday, family and friends bid farewell to Sabrina Lekaj, the 22-year-old Albanian who was killed by her father in her car on July 22nd. Her father was absent at the funeral because she is still under police surveillance. Her mother and brother, Romina and Pyrrhus, both gave speeches in front of the young woman's pink casket.
No tragic event was mentioned at the funeral. The family wanted to remember the beautiful moments they spent together.
"The last thing he said to me was 'I love you and see you then,'" Sabrina's younger brother said. ?She was very smart and always encouraged me to be better, help me with school and drive me to success. He would have loved me. My sister was loving and compassionate. Wherever we went, we went together. We went to the shops, to the park. We were sitting in each other's rooms and watching television together. We were telling each other every problem we had. "
Her mother, Romina, recalled the precious moments with her daughter and did not at any point refer to the details of the horrific event.
?My daughter, you have not left us - you will always be among us. You were so beautiful, so smart, and you influenced so many people, ?Ms Lekaj said in tears. ?We are plagued by your loss, Sabrina, but I want to focus on the good days. I want to remember the day I was brought home from the maternity ward. I want to remember the first day of kindergarten when you came back from me and said 'don't come and get me by three o'clock, okay?' I want to remember the first time I took the piano course and at the end you asked the teacher, 'Can I come tomorrow and tomorrow?' I want to remind you of your graduation day, how many hours we spent fixing your hair. "
Sabrina Lekaj was escorted to her last apartment in a pink casket on which a portrait of a young girl was printed, a photo of herself playing the piano, diplomas and a quote from "Mary Poppins Returns."
Sabrina Lekaj was killed by her father after she went out with her friends and slept at one of them. The father, Petrit Lekaj, also sustained injuries to his body and is in hospital in Adelaide. He appeared in court through a video call and will remain under police surveillance. The next hearing is in January and then, his lawyer may seek bail.
