Ellen Craig has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 1987 death of her daughter, Tillie, at a property in Porters Retreat, New South Wales. Craig admitted to hitting Tillie with a length of irrigation tubing, but it remains unclear which blow caused her death. After Tillie’s death, Craig’s partner, Alexander Wilon, allegedly attempted to resurrect her before burning her body in a drum filled with wood, old clothes, and motor oil. Tillie’s ashes were scattered in a nearby river, and the drum was thrown in and sank, never to be found.
Craig expressed deep remorse and apologized to Tillie in a letter to the court, acknowledging that her actions as a mother were horrific and had robbed Tillie of a happy life. She claimed to have felt detached from her daughter and regretted exposing her to danger in the cult where they lived. Craig’s life with Wilon in The Family was regimented and isolated, with strict routines and meditation sessions guided by Wilon, who claimed to receive messages from a spiritual guide named Monet. Wilon maintained control over his followers through strict rules and principles outlined in a manifesto.
Wilon forbade his followers from discussing Tillie’s death and instructed them to say she had been given up for adoption. It wasn’t until a former cult member broke their vow of silence in 2019 that the truth about Tillie’s fate began to unravel. Wilon, who is terminally ill, has been deemed unfit to stand trial on charges related to Tillie’s death. Tillie’s biological father, Gerard Stanhope, spent years searching for his daughter, only to learn more than 30 years later that she was already deceased. Stanhope remembered Tillie as a bright, loving soul, and expressed the devastation that her loss had caused in his life.
The tragic story of Tillie’s death highlights the devastating impact of cults and abusive relationships on families and individuals. Craig’s guilty plea and expression of remorse shed light on the profound consequences of her actions and the complex dynamics that contributed to Tillie’s untimely death. The search for justice and closure continues for those affected by this heartbreaking case, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and support for those in need. Organizations such as Lifeline, 1800 RESPECT, and Kids Helpline offer resources for individuals facing difficult situations and provide assistance in times of crisis.
