An Auckland woman who’s fighting for life at a Brisbane hospital is preparing to undergo a second surgery.
Destiny Otton-Rakuraku, 34, was allegedly doused in petrol and set on fire by her ex-partner on Saturday at a home in Kingston, south of Brisbane.
She is in a serious condition in the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Otten-Rakuraku’s cousin, Blake Timu, said on Facebook her mother Alison Rakuraku was informed by the hospital’s burn unit that skin grafting surgery was needed.
“Aunty Ali has been informed from the ICU burn unit that dest will be preparing for her 2nd surgery - skin grafting apōpō.
“She’s [Otten-Rakuraku] doing well, [we are] giving her as much resting time as we can.”
Timu requested the people to visit hospital on Wednesday and not on Tuesday.
“We are loving all the visits & we know she [Destiny] absolutely is too, but respectfully if we could have tomorrow [Tuesday] just for this surgery and in no time you’re all more than welcome to come yap her ears off some more.”
On Monday, Timu told the Courier-Mail that Otten-Rakuraku was “such a strong soul.”
“The condition she’s currently in is just inhumane and it’s terrifying to see her almost lifeless,” Timu said.
Otten-Rakuraku, a mother of two teenage boys, works as a support worker and is the eldest daughter in a family of seven.
“She’ll be in a long journey of recovery and we’ll be right there by her side with her babies through it all,” Timu told the Courier-Mail.
“Most importantly, we urge anyone going through anything like this to please reach out to your family.
“No-one should ever go through such a traumatising experience,” Timu said.
Her mother, Alison Rakuraku told 7news she was “devastated and numb.”
Police said that on 7.45am Saturday, a 36-year-old man was involved in an altercation with Otten-Rakuraku.
Police allege that the man then poured accelerant on her before using a lighter to set her on fire, the Courier Mail reported.
The accused, 36-year-old Renata Edward Manning, was arrested on Saturday and charged with eight offences, including attempted murder and common assault.
Manning appeared in court on Monday, where Otten-Rakuraku’s friends and family filled the seats of Beenleigh Magistrates Court with support Nine News reported.
Manning was remanded in custody until March 12, when he will appear in court via video link.
Queensland premier David Crisafulli said the incident has shaken the state.
“I want Queenslanders to know how much sorrow the state has experienced and how much the state is thinking of the young women involved,” he said, the Daily Mail reported.
“To her family, to the neighbours, to the first responders, to every Queenslander – these are the kind of incidents that rock communities. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved.”
- Stuff