What began as a mission of mercy for two Irish sisters turned into a nightmare in Brazil, leaving a family shattered and facing a long road to recovery. Laura and Kelly Silvia, who live in Dublin, had flown to their parents’ home in Ribeirão das Neves in August on a critical family mission: to help their youngest sister, Ana, escape a violent and abusive relationship.
For a few weeks, the plan seemed to be working. Ana was safe, living with her parents and her two young children. But in the early hours of September 16th, the threat they had tried to escape shattered the peace. Ana’s ex-partner, Eduardo, who allegedly could not accept the separation, broke into the family home armed with a machete and launched a frenzied attack.
In a desperate act of protection, the family tried to defend one another. Laura, Kelly, and their parents were all violently assaulted in the struggle. Laura’s father suffered a deep gash to his forehead, while Laura herself endured the worst of the violence, sustaining severe wounds to her neck, stomach, and head, as well as a broken arm, requiring immediate surgery. Kelly suffered defensive injuries to her hands and feet. Amid the chaos, Ana and her two small children were able to escape to safety, unharmed.
The family’s bravery ultimately subdued the attacker, managing to wrest the machete from him before police arrived. Eduardo was arrested at the scene.
Now back in Dublin, the physical wounds are beginning to heal, but the family is burdened with the aftermath. They face enormous challenges, including ongoing medical treatments, psychological trauma therapy, and significant legal costs. Furthermore, they must now support Ana and her two children as they all rebuild their lives from scratch.
In response, friends of Laura and Kelly have established a GoFundMe campaign, “Support for Laura and Kelly’s family after a violent tragedy,” to help alleviate the financial strain.
“We created this fundraiser to support the family of two very dear and special people who need our help,” the page reads. “Thankfully, everyone survived, and the attacker was arrested. But now they are left with enormous challenges.”
The campaign has a goal of €10,000 to help cover medical, therapeutic, and legal expenses. So far, the public has shown tremendous support, with the fund already passing the halfway mark.
The story is a harrowing reminder of the dangers of domestic violence and the far-reaching impact it has on entire families. It also highlights the incredible bravery of those who step in to protect their loved ones.
To read the family’s full story and contribute to their recovery, you can visit the GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-laura-and-kellys-family-on-their-healing-journey
