Margaret River: Slain mother penned heartbreaking poem about domestic violence

Four years before her tragic death, slain mother-of-four Katrina Miles penned a heartbreaking poem about domestic violence, it has emerged.

The 35-year-old was last week found dead at her parents’ farm in the small community of Osmington, north east of the popular tourist hub of Margaret River.

Her four children, daughter Taye, 13, and sons Rylan, 12, Arye, 10, and Kadyn Cockman, eight, were also killed, as was her mother, Cynda, 58, and her father Peter Miles.

Police suspect Miles murdered his family, and then took his own life.

Katrina’s poem, which was written under her married name Cockman and shared by domestic violence awareness group the Red Heart Campaign, reveals a harrowing glimpse into her life.

It’s titled “I am battered not broken” and speaks of her children.

“The shrieks of my children,” the poem reads.

“The echo of my shouts,

“The thump of my dignity slammed against a wall,

“The odour of stale beer has a name called fear,

“In my head I am there,

“Here I am suspended,

“Save my children, save, save, save them,

“In my head I am there.”

Katrina’s estranged husband, Aaron Cockman, last week told reporters he felt no anger toward Peter.

“Peter didn't snap, he thought this through," Mr Cockman said.

"All the kids died peacefully in their beds.

"How the hell Peter did that I still can't figure out, but he did a good job, he did a really good job."

Mr Cockman didn’t have custody of his children.

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