Domestic Violence Campaigner Lesley Elliott’s Illness
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A prominent figure in the battle against domestic violence following the brutal killing of her 22-year-old daughter Sophie, Lesley Elliott’s illness became her cause of death at the age of 71, on November 22, 2022.
May the angel rest in paradise. We send our deepest sympathies to his loved ones, family, friends, and fans during this hard period.
Lesley Elliott’s husband of 50 years confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement, announcing that his wife took her last breath at Ross Home in Dunedin on Sunday.

Elliott became a prominent figure in the battle against domestic violence following the brutal killing of her 22-year-old daughter Sophie. She was murdered by her former boyfriend Clayton Weatherston in 2008.
Lesley Elliott set up the Sophie Elliott Foundation to raise awareness around the signs of domestic abuse and violence and wrote two books on the issue. In the 2015 Queen’s birthday honors, she was appointed a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to the prevention of domestic violence.
Following the brutal murder of Sophie by her former boyfriend Clayton Weatherston in 2008, Lesley set up the Sophie Elliott Foundation and toured New Zealand teaching young people about safe and healthy relationships and the warning signs of abuse.
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Lesley Elliott’s Illness Was So Severe
Although official sources have not shared information about Lesley Elliott’s illness at this time, some announced she lost her life due to a severe illness.
Our team does not confirm any rumors about the news, though you can be sure that we are attempting our best to find related information about the tragedy and provide the latest updates as soon as possible; but do not forget that family privacy should be respected.
Gil Elliott paid tribute to his former wife of 50 years, who became a tireless campaigner after their daughter’s death. That included talking to young women around the country about abusive relationships. He will deliver a eulogy at Friday’s service and noted their two sons “had been robbed of the two women in our family”.
Her declining health over the past two years had been “incredibly difficult” for the family, he said. Lesley Elliott co-authored a best-selling book about her daughter’s death, Sophie’s Legacy, with Bill O’Brien. At least eight women credited it as being the catalyst for them leaving their violent partners.

O’Brien, a Dunedin-based author, said he approached Elliott about writing the book “to give her a voice” after the high-profile court trial. Trustee and manager of the foundation Bill O’Brien said she was “the most courageous person I’ve known”.
“The thing about her was that she could talk to kids, she could talk to gang members, she could talk to prime ministers, governor generals, and everyone was sort of the same. She wasn’t phased by anyone no matter their standing, wherever they came from, she just handled it, a very natural gifted speaker.”
Lesley had been sick over the past decade she’d been working with O’Brien.
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