New Baby Joy For Perth Parents Who Lost Three Children In MH17 Disaster

The parents of Evie, Otis and Mo Maslin who were killed alongside their grandfather, Nick Norris, when Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over the Ukraine almost two years ago have welcomed a new baby girl.

Maz and Rin Maslin have released a moving statement this morning announcing their new arrival:

“Violet May Maslin came in to the world on Tuesday 10 May, bringing with her love and light, hope and joy.

“Our family was torn apart when MH17 was blown out of the sky by the violent anger of a nationalist missile, on July 17, 2014. Our three innocent, beautiful and inspiring children were killed, alongside their grandfather, Nick Norris.

“We believe that Mo, whose 14th birthday was Saturday, Evie, 12 next week, Otis, 10 next month, and Grandad Nick have sent us an amazing gift. Violet’s birth is a testament to our belief that love is stronger than hate.”

“Violet’s birth is a testament to our belief that love is stronger than hate.

“We still live with pain, but Violet, and the knowledge that all four kids are with us always, brings light to our darkness.”

They also quoted Martin Luther King, saying:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” 

“We will continue to love all four of our children equally. Violet brings some hope and joy for us. We hope she brings hope and joy for you too.

Thirty-eight Australians, including the Maslin children, were among 298 people who perished when rebels shot the flight down over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014.

At the time, Mo, 12, Evie, 10 and Otis, 8 were returning home to Perth to start the new school term following a holiday in Amsterdam, accompanied by Rin Maslin’s father Nick Norris. Their parents had decided to stay on in Europe for a few extra days.

Following their childrens’ deaths, the couple issued a similarly powerful statement:

“It is impossible to understand the reason they were blown out of the sky.

“Our love and respect for our children remains unlimited and unconditional. It will never weaken our children have been our entire world.

“We have been two of the luckiest and happiest people on the planet. What remains for us now is to honour our children.

“Our lives are an ongoing hell. The pain we are enduring is unfathomable, and we grieve alongside families in the Ukraine, the Netherlands, Russia, Malaysia, Australia and elsewhere.

“Please respect our children’s memory, and stop this pointless war.”

“Love, only love, it is all we have left.”