Last week, Ilysha Perry, a 20-year-old student at the Australian National University, was stabbed in an attack that left her in a critical condition. This afternoon, her mother, Fiona Coffey, addressed the media in Canberra to say that her daughter was still in intensive care, in a serious but stable condition.
Ms Perry is a second-year student from Batemans Bay, studying a Bachelor of Arts degree. She is the youngest of Ms Coffey’s six children.
“Ilysha is a very private person,” her mother said. “She’s the quietest, loveliest girl you’d ever meet.”
Ms Coffey thanked the first responders who acted quickly – police, security teams, and the ambulance – and the “brave man” who got to her daughter within seconds and helped her.
“If it wasn’t for you, she wouldn’t be here today.”
Ms Coffey said she had spent that weekend with Ilysha and another daughter, leaving their house that morning. She had just returned home when she received a phone call telling her that her daughter had been stabbed.
“I had to get there straightaway, and they weren’t sure that I would get there in time, because I live two hours away from Canberra. So, I just dropped everything and got in the car and drove straight there.”
Her feelings, she said, were shock and disbelief. “We didn’t know if she was going to survive; that was the worst part for me.”
When she saw her daughter in hospital, Ms Coffey said she felt “pretty lucky that she had hung on that long to see me … that she was still with us”.
“I’m still going on adrenaline, and I’m still numb. We’re all devastated. But she’s a bit better today. So that’s a good day.”
Her daughter can now talk, but will have some serious long-term issues, Ms Coffey said.
“Hopefully, she’ll recover, but she’ll never be the same.”
Ms Coffey thanked the Australian Federal Police for their support; Canberra Hospital’s trauma team, surgeons, care staff, and “every one that has helped Ilysha and given her exceptional care”. The ANU had “taken care of our every need; their assistance has been invaluable, and their kindness towards Ilysha”. She thanked everyone who had sent their best wishes, love, and prayers; both the Canberra and Bateman Bay communities had offered to help.
The assailant, Alex Ophel, attacked four people at ANU last Monday. He was charged with attempted murder and other offences last week. Another woman who had been stabbed was last reported in a stable condition. Two male students who were attacked were reportedly back on campus.
