Despite five years passing since the death of their daughter at a flat party in Dunedin, her loss does not get any easier, the father of Otago student Sophia Crestani says.
A memorial to mark the fifth anniversary of the 19-year-old’s death was held at the University of Otago Link yesterday.
It comes as her family prepares to hear the outcome of the coroner’s inquest into her death, in a hearing at the Dunedin District Court today.
A five-day inquest hearing took place before Coroner Heather McKenzie earlier this year.
Miss Crestani, a second year University of Otago student, died in October 2019 when she was caught in a stairwell pile-up at a flat known as The Manor in Dundas St.
Her parents, Bede Crestani and Elspeth McMillan, said they drove from Wellington to attend the anniversary event yesterday.
"It’s still devastating with the loss of Sophia. It seems like such a waste, but we’re also looking to the future too, and looking forward to tomorrow’s inquest and hopefully that places the past in the past."
"... who she was, the contribution she made to her family and to her friends and to the university. And it’s also a time for us to recommit ourselves to the goals of the Sophia Charter."
The Sophia Charter is a multi-agency agreement between the University of Otago, police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the Otago Property Investors Association, the Dunedin City Council and the Otago University Students’ Association aimed at improving student safety and wellbeing.
A lot had happened in those five years, but there was always more to be done, Mr Robertson said.
"I listen carefully to the likes of the police, who do say that they think it’s important that we have safe, secure environments for people to enjoy themselves in and so we want to work together with others in the community to provide those sorts of environments."
Police alcohol harm prevention national manager Ian Paulin said it was a time to look to change.
"Five years is a time to reflect and really look forward."
