2017: Karen Ristevski found dead in Melbourne's Mount Macedon / 7 News
Sarah Ristevski's love for her killer father is unquestioned. But in court on Friday, it was clear she was at odds with the rest of the family.
It's impossible to question Sarah Ristevski's love for her father despite what he has done.
The only daughter of Borce and Kiwi Karen Ristevski has never wavered in support of the man who killed her mother, discarded her body in bushland and lied to his family about his involvement.
She did not change her tune when the 55-year-old admitted to killing his wife.
And she is not about to take a different path now.
Sarah Ristevski exits the funeral service for her mum Karen with a photograph of her. Photo / News Corp Australia
But her resolute backing of the convicted killer – who on Friday had four years added to his nine-year jail term for refusing to tell authorities why or how he killed Karen — has her on the outside of a family divided by what Borce has done.
The split was never more evident than when Sarah walked into court on Friday alone, reports news.com.au.
Wearing a grey jumper and clutching a cream-coloured scarf, she took a seat at the very back of the court.
Seated four rows in front of her was Karen's brother Stephen Williams and his supporters. Next to Williams was police informant Timothy Day.
Sarah did not flinch when Court of Appeal Chief Justice Anne Ferguson told the court that Borce would not be free until 2027 at the earliest.
Borce Ristevski with his wife Karen. Photo / Facebook
On a monitor at the other end of the room, Borce turned red as the decision was read out. Sarah grabbed her things, stood and walked out a separate exit to the rest of her family.
Williams told reporters he wished Victoria had the death penalty. Sarah avoided the media.
What else is there for her to say? Her position is crystal clear and unchanging.
In a revealing character reference that was read on her behalf at Borce's sentencing in March, Sarah wrote that the pair were "inseparable".
"I visited him every week and talked to him on the phone at least twice a day since his arrest in December 2017," she wrote.
The glowing reference discussed themes including her childhood memories and how "the love" and marriage her parents shared was "something I hope to one day experience myself".
"If I could use a few words to describe my dad's personality they would be loving, caring, sympathetic, protective and charismatic," she wrote.
"When I was really young dad would get me up every morning and make sure I was ready for school. He did my hair, ironed my uniform and packed my lunch before driving me to and from school every day. He drove me to all of my extra-curricular activities and stayed to watch all of my sport activities even though I wasn't very good."
Karen Ristevski with her husband and killer Borce. Photo / Supplied
She told him he was not remorseful and had only admitted to killing his wife "when it suited your case".
"You've had almost three years to come forward. That's not remorse. That's selfishness."
The relationship between Borce and Sarah was again mentioned on Friday, albeit briefly.
"He participated in a media conference in which he comforted his visibly distressed daughter," Chief Justice Ferguson said of the day Borce played loving dad for the cameras.
