Thousands raised for funeral of Indigenous woman shot by police

Online supporters have raised thousands of dollars to cover funeral expenses for Ms Joyce Clarke, whose death has led to an outpouring of grief in WA.

Carol Joyce

Children in the centre of a candlelight vigil held this week for Carol Joyce in Perth. Source: NITV

Almost $11,000 has been raised to pay for the funeral of a Yamatji woman who was shot dead by a policeman in WA last week.

Ms Joyce Clarke, was allegedly armed with a knife on September 17 when a constable shot her on a residential street in Geraldton, a coastal town 400km north of Perth.

The mother of one had mental health problems and was recently released from prison.

A candlelight vigil was held in Perth on Tuesday night, with supporters continuing to demand answers about why lethal force was used to subdue her.

The officer involved is on leave pending an investigation into the shooting.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by a family friend to provide Ms Clarke's adoptive mother, Leslie "Anne" Jones, with money to cover funeral expenses.

"We all knew Joyce as a bright, friendly girl who lit up the room with her smile when she walked in, and in the most tragic of circumstances she was taken too early," wrote organiser Marianne Mallard.

“Aunty Anne has given her permission for this fundraiser to be set up with 100 per cent going directly to Joyce's funeral and associated costs.”

No date has been set for the funeral. 

Ms Clarke's body is being held in Perth as part of the investigation into her death.

Meanwhile, National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project director Megan Krakouer has raised questions about improving support services in the region.

"There needs to be more trauma and suicide prevention and mental health outreach," she said.

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Published 25 September 2019 4:45pm
By Rangi Hirini
Source: NITV News


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