Newcastle mum Tabitha Acret speaks about daughter Mackenzie Anderson after alleged murder

The mother of a 21-year old who was allegedly murdered by her ex has made a plea for people to stop avoiding her, saying their attempts to stay away only ‘makes it worse’. 

Tabitha Acret, from Newcastle, was holidaying in Cairns in March when she was told her daughter Mackenzie Anderson had allegedly been stabbed to death by her ex-partner.

Ms Acret said one of the most difficult things she had endured in the three months since her daughter died was the way other people reacted.

‘By profession, I’m a dental hygienist and a professional speaker. I used to get swamped with people, now I see them walk in the opposite direction,’ Ms Acret told MamaMia. 

‘I’m still a person after this. Don’t avoid me. I know you may feel sad or worried about what to say, but keeping your distance makes it worse.’

Tabitha Acret (left) pleaded for people to stop distancing themselves from her following the death of her daughter Mackenzie Anderson (right)

Ms Anderson was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend Tyrone Thompson at her unit on Crebert Street in Mayfield, Newcastle, at 10.40pm on March 25.

Police allege Thompson stabbed her more than 20 times.

Her two-year-old son was found nearby, unharmed but covered in her blood.

Ms Anderson was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend Tyrone Thompson at her unit in Newcastle. Police allege he stabbed her more than 20 times

Less than a week after her daughter’s alleged murder, Ms Acret opened up about her ‘new reality’ and the ‘overwhelming sadness’ she was experiencing.

‘We tragically lost our beautiful little girl,’ Ms Acret wrote on Instagram on March 30.

‘No parent should have to bury a child and this is sadly our new reality… It’s been an overwhelming sadness that is in our hearts at the moment.’

Ms Acret (right) was holidaying in Cairns when she found out her daughter had died

In a previous interview with Daily Mail Australia, the boy’s godmother said Mackenzie’s boy was being cared for by family and getting lots of cuddles.

‘He is safe,’ Alice McEvoy said. 

‘He’s asking for mumma but he’s safe and getting lots of cuddles.’

Thompson has been charged with Mackenzie’s murder, ­aggravated enter dwelling with intent and breach AVO.

On the day of Ms Anderson’s death, it’s understood she spent several hours drinking and socialising with Thompson.

He is reported to have left the home but returned some hours later, allegedly entering Ms Anderson’s unit ‘without her permission’.

Ms Anderson called cops to notify them that Thompson was allegedly breaching the AVO, but by the time they arrived – only minutes later – she had allegedly been stabbed 20 times and died at the scene.

Police allege Thompson was still at the scene and had cuts and damage to his hands.

He was arrested and taken to John Hunter Hospital.