Fiancée of cop who died in freak accident at engagement party reveals pregnancy

World News

By Yaron Steinbuch

The grief-stricken fiancée of the Australian police officer who died in a freak accident at their engagement party has revealed that she is almost 14 weeks pregnant and expecting their first child.

Lily Watts and Liam Trimmer had been planning to announce they were expecting a baby when they threw an engagement party at their home in Western Australia on Saturday night, but the event turned into tragedy when he fell, cut his neck and died.

“The evening was meant to be a joyous celebration of Lilly and Liam’s recent engagement and announcing their pregnancy, a huge milestone in their journey together,” a GoFundMe page set up by Watts’ friend says.

“Friends and family gathered to share in their happiness. In a cruel twist of events, Liam’s life was cut short leaving behind a void that can never be filled,” Melinda Kelly says.

Watts, a registered nurse at Royal Perth Hospital, told the Daily Mail that Trimmer was “truly excited to be a dad.”

“I have never known a love like Liam’s and this heartbreak and emptiness is just so overwhelming,” she told the outlet. “He will always be the love of my life and our baby will know the wonderful man he was.”

The nurse rushed to his side and with the help of other police officers tried to save the senior constable’s life.

“Everything was done to try and save him but it wasn’t to be and I know everyone that was involved are really, really hurting. I think they wish they could just wake up from this nightmare,” WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said.

It is still unclear how Trimmer cut his neck in the tragic mishap. His death remains under investigation.

Watts “now finds herself navigating uncharted waters. Not only has she lost her soulmate, but she also carries the precious gift of new life within her,” the fundraiser says.

“At almost 14 weeks pregnant, Lilly now faces the prospect of raising a child without her beloved partner, while also grappling with the financial responsibilities that come with homeownership,” it continues.

“This GoFundMe campaign seeks to provide some solace amidst the darkness that has enveloped Lilly’s life. While no amount of money can bring back Liam or erase the pain of his loss, we hope to ease the burden that now weighs heavily on Lilly’s shoulders,” Kelly writes.

“Lilly’s resilience and unwavering spirit have always been her defining qualities, and now, more than ever, she needs our love and support. … Together, we can help light the path forward for Lilly and honor the memory of the man she loved so dearly,” she adds.

The dad-to-be, who was originally from the UK, moved to Australia about 10 years ago and graduated from the Joondalup Police Academy in 2013.

In 2017, he moved to Kalgoorlie, a town about 370 miles east of Perth, where he joined the Gang Crime Squad, the tactical response group and the local rugby team.

“This extraordinary officer loved helping the community, was a fine example of WA policing and it’s such a tragedy,” Blanch said. “A very, very confident, capable young man with his whole life ahead of him, and that’s how sad this is.”

The WA Police Union said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened by the passing of a valued member of the blue family,” and sent its “heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the fallen officer during this difficult period.”