Like many other girls, she met a guy at a bar but what made this story so different is that this man wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Hollie moved to London looking for a career change. She loved beauty and fashion but wanted to pursue a career in hairdressing. In 2013, she joined Steiner Training Academy in London, but her boyfriend followed, to be with her despite not having a job or anywhere to stay. After five weeks of training, she took up a position on Carnival Line in the Bahamas at just 19. Excited to pursue a combination of her dream job and travel, a nine-month contract on a cruise seemed perfect. But within a week, she rang her dad asking “Can you arrange flights to get me home?” Her parents were clueless as to why such a strong-minded character would give in so soon, but flew Hollie home as quickly as possible. She didn’t say much except that the cruise didn’t suit her. Wanting to move back to the hustle and bustle of a city, Hollie found another job in London as a stylist in April 2013. Soon after, her parents found out that her boyfriend had followed her but thought nothing of it.
In the May, she came back to Gloucester for a family birthday. Her boyfriend was also invited, however, he showed up an hour late, drunk and abusive. Her father offered to get involved but Hollie declined and claimed she could deal with it. Soon after, Hollie, her boyfriend and some of his family went to Notting Hill Carnival, where she got separated from him, when she took his younger cousin to the toilet. Because he couldn’t find Hollie, he got angry and floored her. The next day she rang her dad and asked to come back home to Gloucester but unfortunately, she was followed by her abuser.
By September, Hollie was working in a local salon but he began to harass her more and more to the point that Hollie was determined to be rid of this man. But instead of a smooth break up, he jumped in her car and stole her credit card. Hollie went to the police with the support of her family. On the Tuesday, he bought a kitchen knife and went to the salon where Hollie worked, he waited for some time for the salon to empty, before stabbing her 14 times and ultimately taking her life.
Hollies story is sadly one of many. This is why her father set up the Hollie Gazzard Trust to educate young people about domestic violence. To this day, the work of the trust helps prevent cases like Hollie’s from ever happening again, through workshops and supporting others. Visit the Hollie Gazzard Trust website for more information.
