Teen’s Sinister Social Media Post Sparked Vicious Brawl That Claimed Life of Mum-of-Two in Wollongong
- A deadly fight between two groups of girls in Wollongong was orchestrated on social media, with a chilling final message sent before the brawl
- The 15-year-old girl who fatally stabbed Kristie McBride, 39, had not brought a knife but was handed one by her 14-year-old friend as the fight erupted
- The four teenage girls, now aged between 16 and 17, have pleaded guilty to manslaughter and will be sentenced next year
A shocking community tragedy has unfolded in Wollongong, where a brutal brawl between two groups of teenage girls claimed the life of a mother-of-two. In a heart-stopping twist, the fight was pre-arranged on social media, with a sinister final message sent just hours before the deadly altercation.
The disturbing scene unfolded on November 22, 2023, when four teenage girls – two aged 14 and two aged 15 – brought knives to a suburban street in Wollongong, determined to settle a score with a rival group. The girls had been goading each other on social media, trading derogatory comments and threats, including to inflict grievous bodily harm, in the 24 hours leading up to the fight.
In a chilling last message, one of the 15-year-old girls wrote “We’re in Legoland” – a reference to the area in Wollongong where the fight was to take place – just minutes before the brawl erupted. The message was sent after the girls had obtained kitchen knives from a supermarket and were preparing to take a bus to the designated meeting spot.
The two 15-year-old girls were seen on CCTV miming combat moves, and all four teens took a bus to the suburb, armed with knives. When they arrived, the fight quickly turned violent, with the 15-year-old girl who would ultimately stab Kristie McBride handing over the knife to her 14-year-old friend. The older teen then lashed out with the knife, leaving deep wounds on McBride’s scalp and forehead.
McBride, who had been drinking at the address with the rival group, was stabbed twice in the stomach, suffering injuries to her kidney and bowel. She stumbled to a nearby house, collapsing and uttering the devastating final words: “That little c*** stabbed me.”
The 39-year-old mother-of-two was rushed to Wollongong Hospital, where she was placed in an induced coma before tragically succumbing to her injuries days later.
The four teenage girls, now aged between 16 and 17, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the NSW Supreme Court on Monday, sparing themselves a murder trial. They will return to court in December for sentencing next year.
The community remains in shock, grappling with the senseless loss of life and the devastating consequences of a bloody brawl sparked by social media taunts.