Mother speaks of slain daughter, grandkids

The grieving grandmother of two young children found killed with their mother has described them as beautiful, happy kids.

May 31, 2016, updated May 14, 2025

Donna Rigney had not spoken with her daughter Adeline Rigney-Wilson for about four months because of the 29-year-old’s drug issues but says she would do anything for her kids.

“She was a good mother. She growled, but it doesn’t matter because you’ve got to pull your kids into line and that’s how she did it,” Donna Rigney said through tears.

“She got mixed up with the wrong crowd but she always made sure her children were right.

“She always bought food for those kids on her payday.”

Police found the bodies of Rigney-Wilson, her five-year-old son Corey and six-year-old daughter Amber at a rural property in Hillier, north of Adelaide, on Monday afternoon.

Her partner has been charged with murder and was due to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates court on Tuesday.

Rigney said she didn’t know her daughter’s partner.

“The devil will look after his own,” she said.

Police haven’t revealed how the woman and children died.

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Barossa Local Service Area officer-in-charge Chief Inspector Alby Quinn said the nature of the crime was very traumatic.

“This does appear to be domestic-related and we are not looking for any other further persons in relation to this incident,” he said.

AAP

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