Jessica Grapsas was six months pregnant with her third child when tragedy struck. On the early morning of September 15, 2023, she awoke to the unsettling sound of a dog growling and realised her husband, Paul, hadn’t returned from his late-night walk. Concerned, Jessica attempted to contact Paul but received no response, prompting her to step outside to check his car.
To her horror, Jessica discovered Paul lifeless in a pool of blood. Her heartbreak was palpable as she shared her devastation in the Victorian Supreme Court, stating, “Paul’s precious life was taken and mine was shattered.”
Paul Grapsas had been the victim of Bailey Clifford, a 20-year-old who, after attempting to break into vehicles, encountered Paul returning from his walk. When Paul confronted him, Clifford, armed with a knife, fatally stabbed him seven times during the altercation, including a deadly blow to the upper back. After the attack, Clifford stole a wallet and some keys before leaving Paul to die.
In her emotional testimony, Jessica spoke about the haunting image of her husband’s body and voiced her guilt for not ensuring Paul’s safety that night. With two young daughters, aged four and two, and a son on the way, Jessica grieved for the children who would grow up without a father: “My son will never know his father’s voice, his smell or his face,” she lamented.
Clifford later confessed to a friend about the incident, expressing his remorse but initially refused to surrender when police approached, even attempting to flee. His barrister argued that Clifford had a history of drug addiction and claimed he acted spontaneously during the confrontation. However, the prosecution emphasised that Clifford’s reaction was excessive, particularly because he fled the scene without contacting emergency services, leaving Paul alone in the gutter.
The court proceedings revealed a complex narrative of crime, loss, and remorse. As the legality of Clifford’s actions was scrutinised, discussions around rehabilitation emerged, with his lawyer presenting evidence of his progress since ceasing drug use and having familial support. Yet, the gravity of the incident weighed heavily on the court, with prosecutors deeming it a severe instance of manslaughter.
Justice Rita Incerti is set to deliver her sentence at a later date, while the Grapsas family continues to grapple with an unimaginable loss and the profound impact of a violent act on their lives.