On a quiet night in May 2019, the life of Courtney Herron was stolen in Melbourne’s Royal Park. She was just 25 years old—full of dreams, warmth, and potential. That night, she met a man who would change everything.

Henry Hammond brutally attacked her with a tree branch, leaving her lifeless beneath a pile of branches.

The nation grieved. Friends, family, and strangers gathered at silent vigils, holding candles and flowers, mourning a young woman who should have been safe, who should have been protected. 

But the grief of one man the grief of her father, John Herron was deeper than words.

A Father’s Heartbreak
When the court declared Hammond not guilty of murder due to mental impairment, John Herron’s pain was
compounded. To him, the decision felt like silence where his daughter’s voice should have been heard. 
“There’s no justice for her,” he said. “Our voices are not considered whatsoever.” 
“If Courtney had Leelou with her, she might still be alive today” he added.
For John, it wasn’t only about the tragedy of losing Courtney it
as about the emptiness left behind by a system that couldn’t give her story the weight it deserved. Yet, even in his darkest moments, John chose
not to let Courtney’s story end there.
Transforming Grief Into Advocacy
John Herron has become an ambassador for Meetleelou, a personal safety app created to protect people in moments of vulnerability. His work is fueled by the love of a father determined to give others what Courtney didn’t have that night—immediate support, connection, and safety.
Meetleelou is more than an app. It’s a lifeline. In less than 15 seconds, it alerts chosen guardians with:
📍 A live GPS location
🎙️ Real-time recorded audio of the emergency
🛠️ An interactive dashboard to act quickly
🔕 Silent alerts that ensure certainty, even when a victim cannot speak

It’s designed for moments of fear, uncertainty, and danger—moments like the one Courtney faced, when a simple connection might have changed everything.

Courtney’s Legacy Lives On

Courtney Herron’s story is tragic, but it is not without purpose. Through her father’s advocacy, her name carries forward a message of protection and connection. Every download of Meetleelou, every alert sent, and every person kept safe is part of her legacy. John’s mission ensures that Courtney’s life, though cruelly cut short, continues to inspire a safer future for others.
Courtney was more than a victim of violence—she was a daughter, a friend, a young woman full of promise. Her story reminds us of life’s fragility, but also of the strength that can emerge from sorrow.
Through John Herron’s voice and his work with Meetleelou, Courtney’s legacy is no longer just one of loss it is one of love, protection, and hope.
Because sometimes, 15 seconds can save a life.