Helena Wright, 36, a mother of two, was reportedly suffering from debilitating migraines and extreme exhaustion in the days leading up to the incident on July 27 at Cape Northumberland in South Australia, according to friends and church elders. Wright died after falling from the cliff with her toddler daughter and infant son. Police are treating the event as a murder-suicide. The body of her 23-month-old daughter Hazel was recovered, but her three-month-old son Lewis has not been found.
A friend confirmed that Wright had been battling agonizing headaches and fatigue. Wright had visited the Mt Gambier police station the day before the incident, but was reportedly advised to return later. The specific reasons for her visit to the police remain unconfirmed.
Wright and her husband, Brad, who were described as "deeply religious," had a history of moving between different churches before settling into an independent "home church" arrangement. They were married at the Mt Gambier Presbyterian Church in 2023 but left the congregation several years prior to the tragedy. Church elders noted the couple was "unusual" and suspected their departure might be linked to anti-authority sentiments that may have developed during COVID-19 lockdowns in Victoria, where they reportedly experienced restrictions.
Elders also stated that there were no signs of mental health issues with Wright during her time at the Presbyterian Church. The couple had previously shown interest in posts opposing lockdowns and COVID-19 vaccinations. Before their move to a home church, they attended services at other congregations, including The Open Door Baptist Church, where they were members for about a year.
A neighbor reported seeing police conduct a welfare check at the Wrights' home on the day of the incident, finding it empty with Ms. Wright's car missing. The car was later discovered near the clifftop, still running. The neighbor described Wright as "troubled and obviously depressed" and expressed dismay at online speculation surrounding the event.
Brad Wright's father, Ian, declined to comment when contacted by media. Mr. Wright is reportedly receiving support from his family. A GoFundMe page established by a family friend stated Wright had "stepped from a cliff with her beautiful babies in her arms, into the arms of her waiting savior."