Latest news with #1800RESPECT
Perth Now
01-06-2025
- Perth Now
Devastated family speak after mother shot dead by husband leaving little girl an orphan
The devastated family of a mother shot dead by her husband in a murder-suicide have broken their silence as they rally to support her orphaned daughter. Krystel and James Paul, both 41, were found dead in separate rooms inside their Verbena Dr home in Mount Sheridan, Cairns, on Tuesday night. The married couple's nine-year-old daughter had fled the home to sound the alarm, banging at a neighbour's door. Krystel's sister Jasmin Bolt said, as the young girl braces for a future without her parents, they wanted to set up a GoFundMe to support her. 'We're trying to navigate through this hard time and I need to make sure (her daughter) is financially secure for her future,' Bolt said. Police believe James shot his wife before taking his own life. On Friday a friend of Krystel's said the Queensland mother had been planning on leaving her husband before she was killed. 'She'd packed her and her daughter's belongings in the boot and was literally about to leave,' the friend told prominent domestic violence advocate Sherele Moody. Krystel and James Paul. The couple were not known to police. Credit: Instagram Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the couple's sudden deaths, with Detective Acting Inspector Alina Bell earlier saying they did not have a history of domestic violence or mental health issues. 'It's always possible that things go on behind closed doors that family, friends and police are not aware of,' she said. 'But our investigations have indicated to date that there is no indication that there was any domestic violence within that relationship.' The couple was not known to police. Multiple firearms were found in the home, all registered to the husband. According to police, the child had been 'alerted to the incident occurring' before seeking help from family members and neighbours. 'That triple zero call occurred as a result of another family member calling us,' Bell said. Police said the girl and family members are being given ongoing support. 'This is not only a tragic occurrence for friends and family, it also significantly impacts the whole of the community,' Bell said. An investigation is ongoing. If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit In an emergency, call 000. Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men's Referral Service, 1300 766 491. If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.
The Advertiser
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Diddy took ecstasy shaped like Obama's face, jury told
Sean "Diddy" Combs once took an ecstasy pill shaped like former US president Barack Obama's face, the hip-hop mogul's former personal assistant has testified at Combs' racketeering and sex trafficking trial. David James, who worked for Combs from 2007 to 2009, told jurors during the second week of the trial in Manhattan federal court that he frequently saw Combs take drugs, including opiates during the day and ecstasy at night. James said he sometimes picked up drugs for Combs and his friends, and often brought narcotics and other personal items like lubricant and condoms to Combs' hotel rooms. He said he once saw Combs take an ecstasy pill shaped like a "former president's face". When prosecutor Christy Slavik asked him which president, James responded "President Obama". Prosecutors say Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, forced women to take part in days-long, drug-fuelled sexual performances known as "Freak Offs" from 2004 to 2024. They say his employees helped by buying drugs, booking and stocking hotel rooms, and giving Combs cash to pay male sex workers to take part in the parties. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers have acknowledged that Combs had substance abuse issues and was an abusive romantic partner but say the sex acts described by prosecutors were consensual. Last week, jurors heard testimony from prosecutors' star witness: Combs' former longtime girlfriend Casandra Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known professionally as Cassie. Ventura said she took part in Combs' Freak Offs for about a decade, first to please him and later because he blackmailed her with videos of the encounters. James on Tuesday described an incident in 2008 when Combs asked him to bring an iPod to his Miami hotel room. James said he saw a completely naked man wearing a condom, whom he did not recognise, scurry away when he entered the hotel room. He said he saw Ventura lying on the bed on her back - which he said was unusual because she always slept on her side - and that she did not react to him entering the room. "She didn't move at all," James said. James was not asked if he knew why Ventura was motionless. Ventura testified that she was heavily dependent on opiates during her relationship with Combs, and that she stopped using drugs in 2022. James said he heard the hotel room shower running, and assumed Combs was in the shower. He said he never discussed the incident with his boss. "I just didn't really think it was my business," James testified. "I thought they were doing some personal things." 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Sean "Diddy" Combs once took an ecstasy pill shaped like former US president Barack Obama's face, the hip-hop mogul's former personal assistant has testified at Combs' racketeering and sex trafficking trial. David James, who worked for Combs from 2007 to 2009, told jurors during the second week of the trial in Manhattan federal court that he frequently saw Combs take drugs, including opiates during the day and ecstasy at night. James said he sometimes picked up drugs for Combs and his friends, and often brought narcotics and other personal items like lubricant and condoms to Combs' hotel rooms. He said he once saw Combs take an ecstasy pill shaped like a "former president's face". When prosecutor Christy Slavik asked him which president, James responded "President Obama". Prosecutors say Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, forced women to take part in days-long, drug-fuelled sexual performances known as "Freak Offs" from 2004 to 2024. They say his employees helped by buying drugs, booking and stocking hotel rooms, and giving Combs cash to pay male sex workers to take part in the parties. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers have acknowledged that Combs had substance abuse issues and was an abusive romantic partner but say the sex acts described by prosecutors were consensual. Last week, jurors heard testimony from prosecutors' star witness: Combs' former longtime girlfriend Casandra Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known professionally as Cassie. Ventura said she took part in Combs' Freak Offs for about a decade, first to please him and later because he blackmailed her with videos of the encounters. James on Tuesday described an incident in 2008 when Combs asked him to bring an iPod to his Miami hotel room. James said he saw a completely naked man wearing a condom, whom he did not recognise, scurry away when he entered the hotel room. He said he saw Ventura lying on the bed on her back - which he said was unusual because she always slept on her side - and that she did not react to him entering the room. "She didn't move at all," James said. James was not asked if he knew why Ventura was motionless. Ventura testified that she was heavily dependent on opiates during her relationship with Combs, and that she stopped using drugs in 2022. James said he heard the hotel room shower running, and assumed Combs was in the shower. He said he never discussed the incident with his boss. "I just didn't really think it was my business," James testified. "I thought they were doing some personal things." 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Sean "Diddy" Combs once took an ecstasy pill shaped like former US president Barack Obama's face, the hip-hop mogul's former personal assistant has testified at Combs' racketeering and sex trafficking trial. David James, who worked for Combs from 2007 to 2009, told jurors during the second week of the trial in Manhattan federal court that he frequently saw Combs take drugs, including opiates during the day and ecstasy at night. James said he sometimes picked up drugs for Combs and his friends, and often brought narcotics and other personal items like lubricant and condoms to Combs' hotel rooms. He said he once saw Combs take an ecstasy pill shaped like a "former president's face". When prosecutor Christy Slavik asked him which president, James responded "President Obama". Prosecutors say Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, forced women to take part in days-long, drug-fuelled sexual performances known as "Freak Offs" from 2004 to 2024. They say his employees helped by buying drugs, booking and stocking hotel rooms, and giving Combs cash to pay male sex workers to take part in the parties. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers have acknowledged that Combs had substance abuse issues and was an abusive romantic partner but say the sex acts described by prosecutors were consensual. Last week, jurors heard testimony from prosecutors' star witness: Combs' former longtime girlfriend Casandra Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known professionally as Cassie. Ventura said she took part in Combs' Freak Offs for about a decade, first to please him and later because he blackmailed her with videos of the encounters. James on Tuesday described an incident in 2008 when Combs asked him to bring an iPod to his Miami hotel room. James said he saw a completely naked man wearing a condom, whom he did not recognise, scurry away when he entered the hotel room. He said he saw Ventura lying on the bed on her back - which he said was unusual because she always slept on her side - and that she did not react to him entering the room. "She didn't move at all," James said. James was not asked if he knew why Ventura was motionless. Ventura testified that she was heavily dependent on opiates during her relationship with Combs, and that she stopped using drugs in 2022. James said he heard the hotel room shower running, and assumed Combs was in the shower. He said he never discussed the incident with his boss. "I just didn't really think it was my business," James testified. "I thought they were doing some personal things." 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Sean "Diddy" Combs once took an ecstasy pill shaped like former US president Barack Obama's face, the hip-hop mogul's former personal assistant has testified at Combs' racketeering and sex trafficking trial. David James, who worked for Combs from 2007 to 2009, told jurors during the second week of the trial in Manhattan federal court that he frequently saw Combs take drugs, including opiates during the day and ecstasy at night. James said he sometimes picked up drugs for Combs and his friends, and often brought narcotics and other personal items like lubricant and condoms to Combs' hotel rooms. He said he once saw Combs take an ecstasy pill shaped like a "former president's face". When prosecutor Christy Slavik asked him which president, James responded "President Obama". Prosecutors say Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, forced women to take part in days-long, drug-fuelled sexual performances known as "Freak Offs" from 2004 to 2024. They say his employees helped by buying drugs, booking and stocking hotel rooms, and giving Combs cash to pay male sex workers to take part in the parties. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers have acknowledged that Combs had substance abuse issues and was an abusive romantic partner but say the sex acts described by prosecutors were consensual. Last week, jurors heard testimony from prosecutors' star witness: Combs' former longtime girlfriend Casandra Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known professionally as Cassie. Ventura said she took part in Combs' Freak Offs for about a decade, first to please him and later because he blackmailed her with videos of the encounters. James on Tuesday described an incident in 2008 when Combs asked him to bring an iPod to his Miami hotel room. James said he saw a completely naked man wearing a condom, whom he did not recognise, scurry away when he entered the hotel room. He said he saw Ventura lying on the bed on her back - which he said was unusual because she always slept on her side - and that she did not react to him entering the room. "She didn't move at all," James said. James was not asked if he knew why Ventura was motionless. Ventura testified that she was heavily dependent on opiates during her relationship with Combs, and that she stopped using drugs in 2022. James said he heard the hotel room shower running, and assumed Combs was in the shower. He said he never discussed the incident with his boss. "I just didn't really think it was my business," James testified. "I thought they were doing some personal things." 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
Perth Now
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
‘I'm scared': Aussie star's heartbreaking addition update
Australian singer and reality star Jack Vidgen, winner of Australia's Got Talent in 2011, has shared a heartbreaking update about his personal battle with addiction, revealing he relapsed and is now back in rehab. 'Not the video I was hoping to be posting after my Instagram hiatus but here I am, again,' Vidgen wrote in a deeply personal update. 'This is now my 7th rehab admission. That sentence fills me with so much embarrassment but at the same time I'm trying to tap into the strength that people tell it takes to keep trying.'This relapse was a really sad one as I feel like (I) lost contact with most of my friends and pushed away the people I loved. 'I left like there was not much hope for me.'It fills me with compassion for people who don't have the resources to just check in to a rehab when they need it.' Vigen, now aged 28, has previously been applauded for his openness when speaking about the battles of addiction and advocating for better support for sufferers. 'I'm scared for the future,' he wrote. 'I have a situation coming up in the next couple months that's been lingering for the last 5 years. Something that I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy. 'I've been so terrified but it's time I step into my strength and my truth.'As a victim of sexual abuse I will get through this. Alive.'I love you all. Jack x,' he wrote. Celebrities were quick to rally around Vidgen, sharing their admiration for his strength and openness, wishing him well in his journey. 'Hang in there Jack, you've got this,' Australian actor Hugh Sheridan wrote. 'We fall off the bike and we get back on and when we've got it we still wear a helmet because in life we might fall again. 'You are an incredible human. Your honesty and vulnerability is key to how strong you are. Sending big love brave boy.' Influencer and podcast host Alright Hey said: 'We are all standing beside you beautiful boy.' Australian performing legend Rhonda Burchmore wrote: 'Sending big love and strength.' If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). Lifeline: 13 11 14. If you or someone you know needs help, phone SANE Australia Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263). Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to
West Australian
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Jack Vidgen health update: Singer, reality star reveals ‘relapse', return to rehab in addiction battle
Australian singer and reality star Jack Vidgen, winner of Australia's Got Talent in 2011, has shared a heartbreaking update about his personal battle with addiction, revealing he relapsed and is now back in rehab. 'Not the video I was hoping to be posting after my Instagram hiatus but here I am, again,' Vidgen wrote in a deeply personal update. 'This is now my 7th rehab admission. That sentence fills me with so much embarrassment but at the same time I'm trying to tap into the strength that people tell it takes to keep trying.'This relapse was a really sad one as I feel like (I) lost contact with most of my friends and pushed away the people I loved. 'I left like there was not much hope for me.'It fills me with compassion for people who don't have the resources to just check in to a rehab when they need it.' Vigen, now aged 28, has previously been applauded for his openness when speaking about the battles of addiction and advocating for better support for sufferers. 'I'm scared for the future,' he wrote. 'I have a situation coming up in the next couple months that's been lingering for the last 5 years. Something that I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy. 'I've been so terrified but it's time I step into my strength and my truth.'As a victim of sexual abuse I will get through this. Alive.'I love you all. Jack x,' he wrote. Celebrities were quick to rally around Vidgen, sharing their admiration for his strength and openness, wishing him well in his journey. 'Hang in there Jack, you've got this,' Australian actor Hugh Sheridan wrote. 'We fall off the bike and we get back on and when we've got it we still wear a helmet because in life we might fall again. 'You are an incredible human. Your honesty and vulnerability is key to how strong you are. Sending big love brave boy.' Influencer and podcast host Alright Hey said: 'We are all standing beside you beautiful boy.' Australian performing legend Rhonda Burchmore wrote: 'Sending big love and strength.' If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). Lifeline: 13 11 14. If you or someone you know needs help, phone SANE Australia Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263). Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to
Perth Now
13-05-2025
- Perth Now
Fresh twist after serial WA rapist found guilty of 97 crimes
Trigger warning: This article contains descriptions of sexual assault A convicted serial rapist found to have drugged and violated a dozen women and girls has launched an appeal against his conviction and sentence. Father-of-two Adam Lusk was jailed for 28 years in January after he was convicted of the shocking crimes. It is one of the longest jail terms for a rapist in Western Australia. During the five-week trial, the district court heard the civil engineer used the internet to trap his victims. Adam Lusk was jailed for 28 years. Credit: Instagram / Supplied Between April 2020 and January 2022, he invited 12 women on dates or to his house in Ascot, Perth, where he assaulted them. Two of the victims were 17-year-old school friends and one was a 16-year-old girl. Lusk was acquitted of indecently assaulting a fourth teenager. Nine women were recorded, including one who could be heard pleading, 'no', 'stop' and 'please, show mercy'. Ten of the victims were drugged with ketamine, Xanax or clonazepam, which the offender bought through the encrypted messaging service Telegram. The 45-year-old claimed what took place was consensual and he denied spiking the drinks of women he had met on dating apps. Lusk pleaded not guilty to a total of 100 counts, claiming the women were consenting and were either 'lazy' or 'role-playing' being unconscious. He was convicted of 97 counts, including 85 of counts of sexual penetration without consent and 12 counts of stupefying in order to commit an indictable offence. If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit In an emergency, call 000. Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men's Referral Service, 1300 766 491.
