A Mother’s Statement

Tabitha Acret, Mackenzie Anderson’s mother, shared her agonizing thoughts during the sentencing hearing for Tyrone Thompson, 25, at the Newcastle Supreme Court.

Mackenzie was convinced Tyrone would murder her on his [parole] release. She was in fear all the time.

Ms. Acret described her constant worry about the fear her daughter must have felt.

Desperate Pleas Ignored

Mackenzie Anderson’s digital footprint revealed her desperate attempts to secure her safety in the weeks leading up to her death.

• She emailed domestic violence advocacy groups, pleading for help with security doors and cameras.
• Tragically, one agency responded after her death, stating: We’re letting you know we’re closing your request for support because you’re now dead and no longer qualify for support.

Mackenzie did everything she should to try and keep safe but was constantly failed by the system. Her death was no surprise but instead a death in slow motion.

The Brutal Attack

Tyrone Thompson initially faced a murder trial but pleaded guilty in April. Prosecutors acknowledged that they could not disprove Anderson was holding a knife when Thompson claimed he attempted to disarm her, injuring his hand in the process. He then stabbed her repeatedly.

The attack occurred between 10:48 p.m. and 10:50 p.m. on March 25,2022,in Anderson’s mayfield apartment. Thompson used two kitchen knives to stab Anderson 78 times after breaking into her home.

A Mother’s Trauma

Ms. Acret recounted the horror of entering her daughter’s apartment after the murder.

The crime scene cleaners had removed everything soaked with blood but there was still a story that that apartment told. A story of fear and violence.

she also expressed her deep sorrow and guilt, revealing that she was unaware of the extent of the violence mackenzie had endured until just before her death.

Along with the immense grief, there is so much sorrow and guilt. I never knew the extent of the violence Mackenzie had experienced until a couple of days before her death. She tried to hide it from me and deal with it due to her own shame.

Adding to the tragedy, Ms. Acret shared that Mackenzie had requested a new set of knives for Christmas 2021, the same knives Thompson used to kill her.

A Preventable Tragedy

Thompson murdered Anderson 16 days after being released on parole for previous domestic violence offenses against her. Anderson had expressed fear to family and friends that Thompson would kill her.

On the day of her death, Anderson asked a male friend for help around 9:30 p.m. to remove Thompson from her apartment because he was frightening her.Thompson returned, using a ladder to access her second-story balcony.

Anderson made multiple emergency calls, telling the operator: My ex-boyfriend’s broken in. I’ve woken up to him in my house.Like, I have AVO on him.

At 10:48 p.m., Anderson messaged her friend, alerting him to Thompson’s return. The friend promptly rushed back to the apartment.

Neighbors witnessed Anderson’s terror as she pounded on her window with clenched fists.

When Anderson’s friend arrived, he found the door locked but could see through a gap. He saw Anderson on the ground with Thompson standing over her, repeatedly stabbing her in silence.

The Killer’s Account

thompson, whose right hand was injured, told a detective that he and Anderson had a heated argument, during which she had a knife. He claimed he grabbed the knife before attacking her, stabbing her multiple times till she f***en stopped.

FAQ: Domestic Violence and Prevention

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.

Who is affected by domestic violence?

domestic violence affects individuals across all demographics, nonetheless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status.

What are the warning signs of domestic violence?

Warning signs include controlling behavior, isolation from friends and family, verbal abuse, threats, and physical violence.

Where can victims of domestic violence find help?

Victims can find help through domestic violence shelters, hotlines, support groups, and legal aid services. It is vital to seek help from trusted sources and develop a safety plan.

What are some strategies to prevent domestic violence?

Prevention strategies include educating individuals about healthy relationships,promoting gender equality,addressing social norms that condone violence,and providing support services for victims and perpetrators.

The Broader Context of domestic Homicide

Mackenzie Anderson’s tragic death underscores the urgent need to address domestic violence and prevent future homicides. Specific populations, including Indigenous communities, immigrant and refugee populations, and those in rural, remote, and northern areas, face heightened risks [[1]].

Studies have identified patterns in domestic abuse cases that escalate to homicide, suggesting that intervention at earlier stages could save lives [[2]]. The case of Mackenzie Anderson highlights the failures within the system that allowed a known abuser to be released on parole and subsequently commit a horrific act of violence.