Mia Lay: ‘Bereft’ family of 20yo Constable issues heartbreaking statement after funeral service
‘The pain we feel as a family is incomprehensible, and there simply are no words that can adequately express the depth of the sorrow we all feel.’
The grieving family of young Sydney police officer Mia Lay have issued a heartbreaking statement after the 20-year-old was killed while on duty on last month.
Constable Lay died after the police vehicle she was travelling in as a passenger crashed in Redfern on September 25.
The 24-year-old male constable who was driving the vehicle survived the crash.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Constable Lay was farewelled by family, friends, and colleauges at a funeral service at St Andrew’s Cathedral on Wednesday, where it was announced she had posthumously received the national police service medal.
Her family issued a heartbreaking statement after the service, saying they have been left “utterly bereft” and “profoundly traumatised” by Constable Lay’s death.
“The sudden and tragic loss of Mia, our firstborn flower, has left us profoundly traumatised, devastated and utterly bereft,” the statement said.“The pain we feel as a family is incomprehensible, and there simply are no words that can adequately express the depth of the sorrow we all feel.
“(Mia) was a strong-willed, determined, loving, focused, vibrant, spontaneous and beautiful young woman who touched the lives of so many people.”
The 20-year-old Constable as “loved” being a police officer, according to her family, and her “fiercely competitive side” shone in her work.
“She loved being part of a team, serving her community and the camaraderie she shared with her colleagues, both at work and socially,” the statement said.
“We could see the excitement in her when she spoke about her work and how much it meant to her. She was proud to serve, and we were incredibly proud of her.”
The eldest of five children, Constable Lay’s parents Tamara and Clem referred to their daughter as their “firstborn flower” who was a role model to her young siblings.
“She had a fiery spirit and a fiercely independent nature, and beneath that was a heart full of kindness and unconditional love,” they said.
The statement described Constable Lay’s partner Daniel Vasquez as “her soulmate”, and that the pair were “inseparable”.
“They dreamed of getting married and having children together and building a life of their own,” the family said.
“Mia brought fun, energy and spontaneity wherever she went. She lived life on her own terms and embraced it fully.”
At Constable Lay’s funeral service, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon announced the young officer will posthumously receive the national police service medal, and the NSW Police medal for diligent and ethical service.
“It will be my honour to present these awards to Mia’s family at an appropriate time in the near future,” Commissioner Lanyon said.
