Kiwi woman set on fire by ex-partner in Brisbane, family ‘devastated’

• Kiwi woman Destiny Otton-Rakuraku, 34, suffered severe burns to 50% of her body after being set on fire by her ex-partner in Brisbane.
• A GoFundMe appeal has raised $22,000 to support her family during her recovery.
• The man involved has been charged with attempted murder and other offences.

The family of a Kiwi woman who was set on fire by her ex-partner say they are “devastated” as she fights for her life in hospital.

A mother of two teenage boys, Destiny Otton-Rakuraku, 34, suffered substantial burns on Saturday morning at her home in Kingston, 28km south of Brisbane.

A family member of Otton-Rakuraku’s, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she suffered “extensive” burns to 50% of her body and has had one surgery so far.

She remains in an induced coma at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

The family member said Otton-Rakuraku flew over to New Zealand over Christmas to spend time with her family.

They claimed during this time, her ex-partner was attempting to rekindle their relationship but Otton-Rakuraku refused due to his “abusive behaviour”.

“We are horrified by the attacker’s actions and just want to be here to support [Otton-Rakuraku] on her long road to recovery for herself and her two teenage boys.

“None of it is okay and we urge anyone suffering from domestic violence to speak up and seek immediate help.”

Her mother Alison Rakuraku told 7News she was “devastated” by the violence and focusing on her daughter’s recovery.

“She’s strong. We will just be strong for our girl.”

She said she could not recall how she felt after being told of the attack, only a “numbness” sweeping over her.

According to Otton-Rakuraku’s social media, she grew up in South Auckland and attended McAuley High School in Ōtāhuhu.

Friends of Otton-Rakuraku said on social media she was “one of the best” and “did not deserve this”.

“She is the most generous human being I know. She loves hard and has such a unique personality that [you] can’t help but love,” one person wrote.

“I’m in shock. She did not deserve this at all,” another said.

A GoFundMe appeal has been set up to help her family while she recovers. The page has already raised more than $22,000.

Kiwi woman Destiny Otton-Rakuraku, 34, is fighting for her life in hospital after her ex-partner allegedly set her on fire.

The page, set up by a family friend, said she was a “support worker with a natural giving heart who didn’t deserve what has happened to her”.

“She works multiple jobs and also studies, and strives hard to achieve.”

The page also said her family was going through “a living nightmare” and in “unbearable pain”.

In Australia, 7News reported that about 7.45am on Saturday local time, a 36-year-old man known to Otton-Rakuraku was allegedly involved in an altercation with her at a home in Kingston, 28km south of Brisbane.

The man then allegedly poured petrol over her before using a lighter to set her alight.

A man has been charged with attempted murder, common assault and other offences connected to the incident.

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