BN- The Gold Coast mother who died after being allegedly run off the road and beaten to death by her former partner has been remembered a...
Tara Brown's shocking death has also sparked an outpouring of emotion about the blight of domestic violence in Australia, with hundreds of people - including professional rugby players and her touch football teammates - sharing their support for her family using the hashtag #PrayForTara on social media.
The 24-year-old mother-of-one died overnight after allegedly being run off the road and beaten with a metal pole by her former partner and former Bandidos bikie, Lionel Patea on Tuesday morning.
Petea, 24, has been charged with attempted murdered and police expect to upgrade the charge to murder when he appears in court on October 28th.
The pair, who were originally from New Zealand but moved to the Gold Coast in recent years, had a young daughter.
'It's obviously a ferocious attack – it's very sad to see this level of domestic violence,' Gold Coast Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Procter said.
It comes as it was revealed the mother-of-one sought help from police in escaping her ex-partner just days before the brutal attack which took her life, but was reportedly denied help.
Photos of Ms Brown smiling and laughing with friends, posing with her young daughter and taking to the football field have flooded social media.
One friend has described the heartbreak of seeing Ms Brown lying in hospital, but said he was grateful to have the opportunity to say goodbye to her.
'Tara's life support has was turned off early hours yesterday morning,' the tribute read.
'She battled through for as long as she could proving us all how much of a solider she really is. Wat (what) a soldier you are girl!
'To see you lying there at the hospital really tore my heart out, I'm so grateful I got to be there with you last night to say my goodbyes just before you passed, it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. All your family and friends miss you so much Tara
'I'm so grateful to have my chance to say my last goodbyes... R.I.P Tara Brown', the friend wrote.
New Zealand rugby union player Tim Nanai Williams - cousin to Sonny Bill Williams who has played rugby league in Australia - has also expressed his sadness over Ms Brown's death.
'RIP Tara Brown love and support to her family #prayfortara #domesticvoilenceisnotok,' he tweeted alongside a photo of the young mum.
Both Nanai-Williams and Samoan footballer Ahsee Tuala sent the important message: 'Domestic violence is not OK!'
'I am so sorry this has happened,' a cousin, Samara Coulter, wrote online. 'I don't know what to say or what to do but I will always be there for [Ms Brown's daughter who cannot be named] my princess forever'.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Ms Brown's daughter and extended family - many of whom have flown to the Gold Coast from her native New Zealand.
So far over $11,00 has been raised in less than 24 hours.
Gold Coast mother-of-five Stacey Jaundrell, 33, told Daily Mail Australia the young woman was a 'darling' friend who had supported her through her fight with cancer.
Ms Jaundrell met Ms Brown in 2012 on an online sales group and the pair bonded over their shared pregnancies.
'She never judged me, she was caring and loving inside and out,' she said.
'I'd just like to say my condolences to her family and love to her little baby. I couldn't imagine the pain right now'.
Today host Lisa Wilkinson has also penned an emotional post about the young woman's death alongside a photo posted to her Instagram page.
'This is the face of 24yo "smart, intelligent, beautiful" Gold Coast mum #TaraBrown,' Wilkinson wrote.
'Tara died this morning after allegedly being viciously bashed to within an inch of her life while trapped in the car she had just crashed after her ex forced her off the road. Last Thursday in fear of her life, Tara had gone to police for help to leave her partner but was turned away and told to seek help elsewhere. Tara leaves behind her young daughter who she had just dropped off at childcare.
'Tara's tragic death comes on a day when another thug in Queensland who bashed his girlfriend until she passed out walked free from court, while yet another man with a criminal history was allowed out on bail to kill mother-of-two Jodi Eaton, a woman was shot dead at a McDonalds on the Gold Coast, and as we mourn the death of a NSW grandmother and her 7 year old grandson allegedly at the hands of her own son.
'This country is in crisis. Real crisis. Domestic violence has reached epidemic proportions. And this is all happening against a backdrop of shelters being closed, and helplines losing funding.
'Please, don't let Tara's death - or all the hundreds of others we are losing in ever-greater numbers each and every year to domestic violence - just pass by unnoticed.
'Let's get #TaraBrown and #StopViolenceAgainstWomen trending. Let's put REAL pressure on our politicians, our beaurocrats and a system that turns women like Tara - and her young daughter - away in their moment of greatest need. And please, please spread the word with a double tap.
'Thank you,' the post concluded.
Ms Brown's local footy club - 2 Fresh Touch - posted a photo montage of the young woman running with a football and blowing a kiss at the camera.
'Rest In Peace, Love and Paradise to our beloved Freshie Tara Brown!', they wrote on their Facebook page.
One teammate posted a tribute to their 'beautiful, dear friend', remembering Ms Brown as a 'kind, loving, happy, funny person'.
'You put up a really good fight girl and ur (sic) legacy will live on for ever.
'My love and respect and condolences goes out to Tara whanau and Friends but most of all her gawjus (gorgeous) baby girl...'
'We will miss you and all the touch tornys (tournaments) and trainings, not seeing your outstanding smile is truly a big loss and is difinitly (definitely) heart breaking.
'I'm am so lost for words on how Tara was taken form us, took me a while to believe it really did happen,' they posted.
Another friend said that despite being devastated by the news, she hoped Ms Brown would be 'with your dad again'.
'Rest in peace Tara Brown. Your beautiful face smile and kind heart will be missed but will never be forgotten,' they wrote.
'Love and prayers go out to your daughter your family and all your Friends. I pray they will find comfort In knowing you are with your dad again and both watching over (your daughter).'
On Wednesday it was revealed by police that Ms Brown had taken out a temporary protection order against her ex-partner Mr Patea - a former serjeant-at-arms with the Bandidos outlawed motorcycle gang.
Friends told the Gold Coast Bulletin that the 24-year-old mum had reported her fear to police last Thursday, less than a week before the fatal attack.
Accompanied by friends, Ms Brown had shown text messages between her and the former partner to officers at Southport Police Station.
She had sought help on how to break ties with Patea, and was issued with a temporary protection order against Patea last week.
Police have said the advice given to Ms Brown at Southport Police station was under investigation by the Queensland Police Service Ethical Standards Command.
More: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3228462/PrayForTara-Outpouring-grief-Gold-Coast-mum-Tara-Brown-allegedly-bashed-death-partner-Lionel-Patea.html
