'Why didn't you look after Papa?': Lauren Zonfrillo reveals devastating question her children asked her after Jock's death
Lauren Zonfrillo has revealed the heartbreaking questions her young children asked her after she broke the news of their father's death.
Victoria Police found 46-year-old MasterChef Australia star Jock Zonfrillo's body during a welfare check at Zagame's House on Lygon Street in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton on April 30, 2023.
The devastating discovery came after Lauren contacted the police with her concerns after her numerous calls to him went unanswered.
She immediately returned home to Australia from Italy with the couple's two children, Alfie, five, and Isla, three.
Lauren spoke to The Imperfects Podcast on Tuesday where she opened up about both children's very different reactions to their father's death.
She said they were "both very upset", but Alfie asked numerous questions while Isla made statements.
"Alfie had a lot of questions, he wanted to know where Jock was right now," Lauren said.
"He wanted to know when it happened. He wanted to know 'am I sure (Jock died)?'.
"He went into sort of a little bit of bargaining. 'Will I ever be able to see him again'."
Lauren said she told Alfie 'no...because Papa's dead so he can never come back, no, not even for a cuddle'."
The mother-of-two said the five-year-old asked: "Who's going to do Lego with me?".
He also wondered whether Jock was "cold" and if he could "still go into Papa's kitchen?"
Lauren said she was surprised by her son's questions and their conversation was not what she "expected".
In contrast, the mother-of-two said Isla had just begun talking at the time and made more "statements" than her older brother.
"I mean, she just started talking. You know, she was really maybe three months into talking," she said of her three-year-old daughter.
Lauren said Isla told her, 'Papa gets really cold, so make sure he's not cold', and wanted him to wear a dressing gown and slippers.
She reassured her daughter that her father was okay.
"I was like 'when you're dead, you don't have any feelings like that anymore, but I know Papa's not cold. He's okay, he's in his pyjamas'.
"And then she got a bit angry at me. She kind of blamed me, and she's done that a couple of times, and I've learned not to let it upset me because it's not her blaming me.
"But she said to me, 'Well, you look after our family, so why didn't you look after Papa?
Lauren said Isla asked her why she "didn't give him medicine, knew he had a temperature, and wasn't with him now."
"'Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with him there?" her daughter asked.
It comes after a coroner decided not to publicly release the Scottish-born restaurateur's cause of death, which police did not treat as suspicious, after a 16-month investigation into the tragedy concluded last August.
Lauren was asked to disclose his cause of death on Sunday when she spoke to Liz Hayes on Seven News' Spotlight in her first major interview.
She replied by saying she "has an answer" to the cause, but "it doesn't make a difference".
"A lot of people want to know the answer to that; I'm really aware of that," she said.
"I've had a lot of experiences with people coming up to me, all strangers, and asking how Jock died, and it's very unsettling."
"Jock was very open in what he was willing to talk about. And I now don't want to make those decisions, because I don't know what he does and doesn't want to talk about."
Elsewhere in the raw interview, Lauren also said she was "scared" to face Jock's body at the morgue, but wanted to see and speak to him.
"I asked him what the f*** happened, and I just wanted the words from him. He just looked completely normal to me," she said.
In a particularly emotional moment, the widow recounted she discovered Jock's journal which contained his heartfelt thoughts thoughts about her hard work and dedication after his death and said that gave her comfort.
Jock filmed MasterChef Australian season 15, which was scheduled to premiere the day after his death but was postponed to May 7.
It was subsequently reported the 46-year-old underwent treatment for bowel cancer after being diagnosed with the disease in 2021.
Born Barry Zonfrillo, the late chef left school early to work in restaurants and worked with celebrity chef Marco Pierre White in London at 17.
He emigrated to Australia in 2000 to work at Restaurant 41 in Sydney and later settled in Adelaide, where he operated the highly regarded venues Bistro Blackwood and Restaurant Orana from 2013 through 2020.
After the collapse of his restaurants, the chef achieved new success when he joined MasterChef Australia in 2020 as a judge alongside food critic Melissa Leong and chef Andy Allen after the original judges George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston were sacked.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Origin star stops 'creepy' NRL teammate groping woman
A former NRL player acquitted of rape has admitted groping a woman on a night out with Brisbane players, prompting teammate Patrick Carrigan to intervene. Teui "TC" Robati, 23, has been sentenced to probation for sexually assaulting the woman at a bar in a "creepy" incident witnessed by former Broncos skipper Carrigan. The ex-NRL backrower made the admission minutes after being found not guilty of two counts of raping a different woman in another incident days earlier. Robati on Wednesday pleaded guilty to indecently groping a 21-year-old woman's breast at a Brisbane bar on the night of December 21, 2022. His then-teammate - Queensland State of Origin forward Carrigan - saw Robati assault the woman and stepped in to stop him, Brisbane District Court was told. Judge William Everson told Robati his offending was "brazen and quite frankly creepy", leaving the victim feeling completely violated. "Your conduct demonstrates a very disrespectful attitude toward women," Judge Everson said. Robati had earlier been on trial charged with rape over the separate incident. Robati on Monday pleaded not guilty to raping a woman twice in the disabled toilet of a pub in the inner-Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley on December 11, 2022. Defence barrister David Funch had told the jury it was accepted Robati had sexual contact with the woman after exposing himself but he thought he had consent. "It's poor behaviour but poor behaviour does not make you a rapist," Mr Funch said. The jury had deliberated for nine hours since Tuesday following a trial lasting one-and-a-half days. Robati made his NRL debut in 2021 after shining for Brisbane affiliate club Wynnum-Manly in the Queensland Cup. He played 10 NRL games in 2021 and backed it up with a further seven in 2022 after making that year's Maori All Stars team. The New Zealand-born forward had signed an extension until the end of 2024 but was axed by the Broncos in February 2023, before the NRL season started. Mr Funch had earlier told Judge Everson Robati had "lost everything" and was working in road construction and food packaging. "He remains hopeful of resuming his professional career and he has been in discussion with one other NRL team located in Sydney," Mr Funch said. "He has been informed by his manager that once these charges are finalised then he can resume his hopes of a professional career." Mr Funch asked Judge Everson not to record a conviction against Robati owing to his disadvantaged background while growing up in New Zealand. "He was a young man thrust into the limelight, all of a sudden enjoying fame and fortune, lined with the attention of others combined with alcohol," he said. "In the surreal position with fame at such a young age he was not equipped to handle himself appropriately." In sentencing, Judge Everson said he needed to send a message society condemned those who assaulted women. "That you felt entitled to sexually assault a woman is most concerning," he said. Judge Everson said he was reluctant to affect Robati's rehabilitation and did not record a conviction for his "reprehensible behaviour". "You are still a young man, you are hoping to rehabilitate yourself and resurrect your football career," he said. Robati walked from court after being sentenced to a two-year probation order. His legal representative outside court said Robati thanked the jury for its rape trial verdict and he was ready to move on with his life. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 A former NRL player acquitted of rape has admitted groping a woman on a night out with Brisbane players, prompting teammate Patrick Carrigan to intervene. Teui "TC" Robati, 23, has been sentenced to probation for sexually assaulting the woman at a bar in a "creepy" incident witnessed by former Broncos skipper Carrigan. The ex-NRL backrower made the admission minutes after being found not guilty of two counts of raping a different woman in another incident days earlier. Robati on Wednesday pleaded guilty to indecently groping a 21-year-old woman's breast at a Brisbane bar on the night of December 21, 2022. His then-teammate - Queensland State of Origin forward Carrigan - saw Robati assault the woman and stepped in to stop him, Brisbane District Court was told. Judge William Everson told Robati his offending was "brazen and quite frankly creepy", leaving the victim feeling completely violated. "Your conduct demonstrates a very disrespectful attitude toward women," Judge Everson said. Robati had earlier been on trial charged with rape over the separate incident. Robati on Monday pleaded not guilty to raping a woman twice in the disabled toilet of a pub in the inner-Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley on December 11, 2022. Defence barrister David Funch had told the jury it was accepted Robati had sexual contact with the woman after exposing himself but he thought he had consent. "It's poor behaviour but poor behaviour does not make you a rapist," Mr Funch said. The jury had deliberated for nine hours since Tuesday following a trial lasting one-and-a-half days. Robati made his NRL debut in 2021 after shining for Brisbane affiliate club Wynnum-Manly in the Queensland Cup. He played 10 NRL games in 2021 and backed it up with a further seven in 2022 after making that year's Maori All Stars team. The New Zealand-born forward had signed an extension until the end of 2024 but was axed by the Broncos in February 2023, before the NRL season started. Mr Funch had earlier told Judge Everson Robati had "lost everything" and was working in road construction and food packaging. "He remains hopeful of resuming his professional career and he has been in discussion with one other NRL team located in Sydney," Mr Funch said. "He has been informed by his manager that once these charges are finalised then he can resume his hopes of a professional career." Mr Funch asked Judge Everson not to record a conviction against Robati owing to his disadvantaged background while growing up in New Zealand. "He was a young man thrust into the limelight, all of a sudden enjoying fame and fortune, lined with the attention of others combined with alcohol," he said. "In the surreal position with fame at such a young age he was not equipped to handle himself appropriately." In sentencing, Judge Everson said he needed to send a message society condemned those who assaulted women. "That you felt entitled to sexually assault a woman is most concerning," he said. Judge Everson said he was reluctant to affect Robati's rehabilitation and did not record a conviction for his "reprehensible behaviour". "You are still a young man, you are hoping to rehabilitate yourself and resurrect your football career," he said. Robati walked from court after being sentenced to a two-year probation order. His legal representative outside court said Robati thanked the jury for its rape trial verdict and he was ready to move on with his life. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 A former NRL player acquitted of rape has admitted groping a woman on a night out with Brisbane players, prompting teammate Patrick Carrigan to intervene. Teui "TC" Robati, 23, has been sentenced to probation for sexually assaulting the woman at a bar in a "creepy" incident witnessed by former Broncos skipper Carrigan. The ex-NRL backrower made the admission minutes after being found not guilty of two counts of raping a different woman in another incident days earlier. Robati on Wednesday pleaded guilty to indecently groping a 21-year-old woman's breast at a Brisbane bar on the night of December 21, 2022. His then-teammate - Queensland State of Origin forward Carrigan - saw Robati assault the woman and stepped in to stop him, Brisbane District Court was told. Judge William Everson told Robati his offending was "brazen and quite frankly creepy", leaving the victim feeling completely violated. "Your conduct demonstrates a very disrespectful attitude toward women," Judge Everson said. Robati had earlier been on trial charged with rape over the separate incident. Robati on Monday pleaded not guilty to raping a woman twice in the disabled toilet of a pub in the inner-Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley on December 11, 2022. Defence barrister David Funch had told the jury it was accepted Robati had sexual contact with the woman after exposing himself but he thought he had consent. "It's poor behaviour but poor behaviour does not make you a rapist," Mr Funch said. The jury had deliberated for nine hours since Tuesday following a trial lasting one-and-a-half days. Robati made his NRL debut in 2021 after shining for Brisbane affiliate club Wynnum-Manly in the Queensland Cup. He played 10 NRL games in 2021 and backed it up with a further seven in 2022 after making that year's Maori All Stars team. The New Zealand-born forward had signed an extension until the end of 2024 but was axed by the Broncos in February 2023, before the NRL season started. Mr Funch had earlier told Judge Everson Robati had "lost everything" and was working in road construction and food packaging. "He remains hopeful of resuming his professional career and he has been in discussion with one other NRL team located in Sydney," Mr Funch said. "He has been informed by his manager that once these charges are finalised then he can resume his hopes of a professional career." Mr Funch asked Judge Everson not to record a conviction against Robati owing to his disadvantaged background while growing up in New Zealand. "He was a young man thrust into the limelight, all of a sudden enjoying fame and fortune, lined with the attention of others combined with alcohol," he said. "In the surreal position with fame at such a young age he was not equipped to handle himself appropriately." In sentencing, Judge Everson said he needed to send a message society condemned those who assaulted women. "That you felt entitled to sexually assault a woman is most concerning," he said. Judge Everson said he was reluctant to affect Robati's rehabilitation and did not record a conviction for his "reprehensible behaviour". "You are still a young man, you are hoping to rehabilitate yourself and resurrect your football career," he said. Robati walked from court after being sentenced to a two-year probation order. His legal representative outside court said Robati thanked the jury for its rape trial verdict and he was ready to move on with his life. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 A former NRL player acquitted of rape has admitted groping a woman on a night out with Brisbane players, prompting teammate Patrick Carrigan to intervene. Teui "TC" Robati, 23, has been sentenced to probation for sexually assaulting the woman at a bar in a "creepy" incident witnessed by former Broncos skipper Carrigan. The ex-NRL backrower made the admission minutes after being found not guilty of two counts of raping a different woman in another incident days earlier. Robati on Wednesday pleaded guilty to indecently groping a 21-year-old woman's breast at a Brisbane bar on the night of December 21, 2022. His then-teammate - Queensland State of Origin forward Carrigan - saw Robati assault the woman and stepped in to stop him, Brisbane District Court was told. Judge William Everson told Robati his offending was "brazen and quite frankly creepy", leaving the victim feeling completely violated. "Your conduct demonstrates a very disrespectful attitude toward women," Judge Everson said. Robati had earlier been on trial charged with rape over the separate incident. Robati on Monday pleaded not guilty to raping a woman twice in the disabled toilet of a pub in the inner-Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley on December 11, 2022. Defence barrister David Funch had told the jury it was accepted Robati had sexual contact with the woman after exposing himself but he thought he had consent. "It's poor behaviour but poor behaviour does not make you a rapist," Mr Funch said. The jury had deliberated for nine hours since Tuesday following a trial lasting one-and-a-half days. Robati made his NRL debut in 2021 after shining for Brisbane affiliate club Wynnum-Manly in the Queensland Cup. He played 10 NRL games in 2021 and backed it up with a further seven in 2022 after making that year's Maori All Stars team. The New Zealand-born forward had signed an extension until the end of 2024 but was axed by the Broncos in February 2023, before the NRL season started. Mr Funch had earlier told Judge Everson Robati had "lost everything" and was working in road construction and food packaging. "He remains hopeful of resuming his professional career and he has been in discussion with one other NRL team located in Sydney," Mr Funch said. "He has been informed by his manager that once these charges are finalised then he can resume his hopes of a professional career." Mr Funch asked Judge Everson not to record a conviction against Robati owing to his disadvantaged background while growing up in New Zealand. "He was a young man thrust into the limelight, all of a sudden enjoying fame and fortune, lined with the attention of others combined with alcohol," he said. "In the surreal position with fame at such a young age he was not equipped to handle himself appropriately." In sentencing, Judge Everson said he needed to send a message society condemned those who assaulted women. "That you felt entitled to sexually assault a woman is most concerning," he said. Judge Everson said he was reluctant to affect Robati's rehabilitation and did not record a conviction for his "reprehensible behaviour". "You are still a young man, you are hoping to rehabilitate yourself and resurrect your football career," he said. Robati walked from court after being sentenced to a two-year probation order. His legal representative outside court said Robati thanked the jury for its rape trial verdict and he was ready to move on with his life. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028


Perth Now
16 hours ago
- Perth Now
Famous Perth model reveals major injury after scary accident
Gemma Ward has revealed she endured a severe injury following a freak surfing accident, explaining her absence from social media. The 37-year-old Perth-born model took to Instagram on Monday, where she told her 222,000 followers she fractured three vertebrae in her spine during a surfing mishap. She also said that in the wake of her scary injury, she had to keep working, even flying to Paris for a Lancôme photoshoot, which Ward described as 'an honour' to take part in. The tragic update was the blonde beauty's first post to Instagram since January. 'A lot has happened since I last posted. I fractured 3 vertebrae's in my spine from a surfing accident, flew to paris to shoot for Lancôme again which was a complete honour but in the wake of my accident I forgot to renew my passport so I had to get an emergency one and nearly missed the whole shoot,' she wrote in the caption. Gemma Ward pictured in a neck brace following a surfing accident. Credit: Supplied Ward continued to say that while she was recovering, she completed a writing course, read some books and 'reflected on my life and the current state of the world'. She is now focused on working on her 'strength and rehabilitation', writing a novel and raising her three young kids. 'Hope you are all doing well and getting some rest here and there,' she finished. Several of her famous friends flooded the comments section of the post with well-wishes. Fellow Aussie Nicole Trunfio wrote: 'So many emotions. Get better soon. Miss you and the babes and a NOVEL?? I cannot [wait] to read!' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Sports Illustrated alum Jessica Gomes wrote: 'Always back in full form! You are the best!! Love you big!!!' Victoria's Secret model Martha Hunt left several heart and plaster emojis on the post. Ward was recently spotted catching waves while enjoying a beach day with her children in Sydney. The famously private model was photographed barefoot and makeup free in April as she wrangled towels and carried her kids' belongings. Ward has graced the covers of Vogue and walked for designer brands such as Prada, Chanel, and Dior since she made her Australian Fashion Week debut aged 15.

Sky News AU
a day ago
- Sky News AU
Australian ABC journalist caught up in crossfire after being tear-gassed during LA riots
Another Aussie reporter has found themselves caught in the crossfire of the unfolding riots taking place in Los Angeles. An Australian North America correspondent for the ABC was reporting on the escalating immigration protests in LA when she was tear-gassed on the job. Lauren Day later described the situation that happened when she got hit with the non-lethal chemical weapon. Ms Day said the police were attempting to disperse crowds of demonstrators when she and her team were struck in the firing line. 'This is really an example of just how quickly things can escalate after a long standoff with protestors police have now started to disperse the crowds, including with tear-gas,' she explained to ABC News as shots continued to fire across the street. 'We got hit and you can see why it's called tear-gas... it burns your eyes, burns your nose, your lips, your throat. 'It's pretty unpleasant I've got to say.' This comes after Channel Nine News' US Correspondent Lauren Tomasi was shot by a rubber bullet in Los Angeles on Monday amid intense riots which have continued for four days. An officer was seen directing his weapon at Ms Tomasi and fired at her after she finished her report. The US correspondent winced and grabbed her leg before saying she was 'good' while she and the cameraman ran away. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had spoken with Ms Tomasi, and that the footage of the shooting was 'horrific'. 'Well, I spoke with Lauren this morning, she's going ok, she's pretty resilient, I've got to say. But that footage was horrific,' he said during his address to the National Press Club. Meanwhile her Nine colleague Today Show host Karl Stefanovic has called for a 'proper investigation' into the incident. "Lauren is a hard-working, tenacious reporter who is always determined to be fair and balanced. She's also the best of us. You will not meet a kinder person," he said. This comes after streets in LA descended into chaos on Friday (local time) after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers made dozens of arrests across the city over allegations of immigration violations as part of the administration's crackdown. Protesters clashed with police and agents as they attempted to carry out arrests, leading to law enforcement to use flash bangs and pepper spray to quell the crowd. About 300 Californian National Guards of the 2,000 deployed by President Trump have arrived to the city. Marines are due to arrive in the next 24 hours.