A friend close to Natasha Schofield, the woman who tragically jumped overboard the Pacific Dawn cruiseliner, has claimed she must have been in a ‘dark and desperate’ place to cause her family such pain.
The 47-year-old mother-of-three plunged from 40m from an upper deck of the cruise ship, where she had been standing with her husband. Their three children, aged 12-16, were also on board.
Police revealed yesterday CCTV footage recorded the final moments of Mrs Schofield’s life, proving she intentionally plunged from the ship.
Inspector Graham told reporters Mrs Schofield ‘propelled herself overboard’ as her husband desperately tried to grab her legs.
A close friend, Damon Smith, posted a tribute to Facebook where he insisted ‘Tash’ would never have wanted to hurt her family.
‘Tash would never intentionally hurt her husband or children, her family or friends — everything that has happened on that boat is the complete opposite to what she would ever want — so I say she must have arrived in a very dark and desperate place in her mind very, very quickly.’
Reports claim Mrs Schofield’s behaviour began to change in the last 24 hours leading up to her death, with her husband noting ‘she didn’t seem herself.’
Initial reports claimed the Mrs Schofield was knocked overboard by a freak wave, after she had made her way onto the deck due to illness.
Our thoughts are with her children, family and friends.
If you or someone you know needs help, call Life Line on 13 11 14 or visit Beyond Blue.
