‘We’ll be strong for our girl’: mother of Queensland woman allegedly set on fire in murder attempt speaks out
Share:
Renata Edward Manning has been accused of attempting to kill Destiny Otton-Rakuraku and assaulting another woman. The family and friends of a woman allegedly set on fire by a man accused of trying to murder her say they have been left numb and traumatised.
Destiny Otton-Rakuraku, a 34-year-old support worker and mother-of-two, remains in hospital with serious injuries after the alleged attack on Saturday. “I’m devastated ... just numbness,” Otton-Rakuraku’s mother Alison told Seven News. “She’s strong. We’ll be strong for our girl.”.
Renata Edward Manning, 36, has been accused of attempting to murder Otton-Rakuraku as well as assaulting another female victim. Family and friends of Otton-Rakuraku packed a small suburban courtroom in Queensland for Manning’s first scheduled appearance on Monday.
Manning was arrested at Kingston, south of Brisbane, on Saturday and charged with eight offences against two women including one count each of attempted murder, common assault and breach of a court order. Manning has been accused of producing a lighter and setting 34-year-old Destiny Otton-Rakuraku on fire.
Manning was not required to appear in person or via video link in Beenleigh magistrates court on Monday for the first mention of his charges. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email. Police allege the pair were involved in an altercation about 7.45am on Saturday before Manning pulled out a lighter and set Otton-Rakuraku on fire.
