Sophie Elliott’s mother Lesley dies after tireless domestic violence campaign

Lesley Elliott, whose daughter was murdered by Clayton Weatherston, speaking to senior students at Napier Boys High school about abusive relationships. Photo / Paul Taylor, File

Dunedin domestic violence campaigner Lesley Elliott has died.

The founder of the Sophie Elliott Foundation died on Sunday at age 76.

Lesley Elliott had been a vocal advocate for abuse awareness since her daughter Sophie Elliott, then a 22-year-old student, was stabbed to death by her former boyfriend in 2008.

Following the death of her daughter, Lesley Elliott set up the foundation to raise awareness of the signs of domestic violence.

Sophie Elliott was killed in 2008. Photo / Supplied, File

She travelled across New Zealand delivering talks to community groups and schools.

She wrote two books on the issue, Sophie’s Legacy and Loves Me Not — How to Keep Relationships Safe, and tens of thousands of copies were given away.

She was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2015.

The foundation closed in 2019 as Lesley Elliott stepped away due to Parkinson’s disease.

Police continued the work of the foundation with the Loves-Me-Not programme following the closure.