The grandson of a beloved Central Coast grandmother allegedly killed in a horrific attack has spoken of his struggle to rebuild his life after discovering her body in her burnt-out home.
A Traumatic Discovery
Diane Elaine Harkess, 77, was found dead in the loungeroom of her single-level unit on Melissa Close in Bateau Bay about 9.30pm on August 24. The grim discovery was made by her 28-year-old grandson, who wishes to be identified only as Kain.
Kain recalled entering the dark house and sensing something was wrong when he saw a shape on the ground. After turning on the lights, he made the horrific discovery. "I saw the catastrophe, the horrificness, I screamed," he told 7NEWS.com.au, describing the experience as deeply traumatic.
He found his grandmother's body on the floor, describing it as "half-scorched" with several alleged injuries. Body fluid was nearby, and white chip rocks were scattered on the floor beneath a damaged roof. Kain realised "everything was burnt" and noted the shower was still running.
Despite the fire having already burnt out, Kain said he was choking on carbon monoxide when he called triple-0. Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry later explained that fires can sometimes burn out all the oxygen and self-extinguish, which is what allegedly occurred here.
Charges Laid and a Community in Mourning
Police allege Harkess suffered significant injuries and died before the blaze ignited. Jacob Divola, 26, was initially charged in August with damaging property by fire or explosion (DV). Following further investigations, he has now been charged with murder (DV) and was refused bail to appear in court on February 3. Divola's lawyer previously told the court he was on a mental health care plan.
Harkess has been remembered as a pillar of her community. Superintendent Chad Gillies described her as "a well-loved member" of the community who got on very well with her neighbours. Kain echoed this, saying his grandmother valued respect above all else and was a resilient woman who had endured much in her life.
"My grandmother was my best friend. She was my anchor," said Kain, who grew up with Harkess from the age of 13. "She was like a mother to me."
Life Unravels in the Aftermath
The emotional fallout from the alleged murder has thrown Kain's life into chaos. A father-of-five, he has not yet found the right moment to tell his daughters about losing their great-grandmother. The stress of the situation also contributed to the end of his relationship with his boyfriend.
Professionally, Kain has also suffered. A former freelance drone pilot, he said ongoing mental health concerns led to his licence being revoked, leaving him without an income. He now relies on Centrelink, struggles to pay rent, and fears losing his home right before Christmas, with limited support from family or friends.
One survivor of the tragedy is Harkess's dog, Ashy. The pet survived the fire but has been left deeply traumatised and now requires veterinary care. Kain has set up a GoFundMe page seeking community support to honour Harkess's legacy and care for Ashy.
"Every donation, no matter the size, reminds us that Diane's love and kindness are remembered and cherished," Kain wrote, thanking those who have already contributed to help him begin healing from a devastating loss.
