Reporter brought to tears while reading SA Police Commissioner’s letter to late son
Today Adelaide reporter Tom Rehn has been brought to tears while reading out South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and his wife Emma’s powerful letter paying tribute to their son Charlie, who was killed in an alleged hit-run collision last week.
Mr Rehn’s stepson was close friends with Charlie, and couldn’t hold back his emotions while reading the letter live on-air on the Today Show.
Press PLAY to hear his emotional reaction while reading the letter
Mr Rehn then joined Neil Mitchell in the aftermath of his emotional appearance on live TV, and had a powerful message for the public to “slow down on the roads”.
“Life is too short, it’s too precious,” Rehn told Neil Mitchell.
Press PLAY to hear his powerful and emotional message to the public in light of the tragic event in South Australia
The full letter from the SA Police Commissioner and his wife can be found down below:
“I’m sitting writing this in a bedroom with dirty clothes on the floor, unmade bed, six drinking glasses lined up on the bedside table, an empty KFC box next to glasses, wardrobe doors left open and a row of skateboards leaning on the wall.
“It’s a mess. And it’s perfect. This is where 101 lived. 101 arrived on 28 April, 2005 and changed our lives forever. The last of five, he was different. Cheeky, intense and funny. A loveable ratbag from the moment he could talk, he was as frustrating as hell but he was also the kid who would look after others, befriend the lonely and help those who were struggling.
“Intensity shone through as 101 committed to each new passion, Lego, BBL, scooters, footy, cricket, basketball, surfing, down-hilling, Fortnite and skateboard. It was all or nothing. It was always all.
“101 hated cheese because his brother did. He was the master of the air fryer, the Nutribullet and steamer. He loved his mum’s curried sausages, but didn’t know where the dishwasher was. His favourite pastime was pushing mum’s buttons. Although a different name is on his birth certificate, F off Charlie is what you would hear most in our house followed closely by ‘put a shirt on and take your hat off at the table.’
“101 loved footy. He loved the Cats. He played 100 games with the Hawks. Then the Jets, the Saints, the camels and Westies. He just wanted to play and be a part of the team. It was 101 who taught us you can’t shower unless you have got your Bluetooth speaker fully cranked so mum and dad can’t hear themselves in the kitchen. 101 never wanted for soap, shampoo or shavers. Someone else in the house always had it. Even a used towel.
“His enthusiasm for school saw no bounds except start time and school work. But his enthusiasm for family and his mates was real. 101 had a circle of friends the rest of us could only dream about. He loved his mates. They loved him. His friends’ parents liked having 101 in their homes.
“He was mates with his brother’s mates. Living with him meant waking up on weekends to four or five extra bodies in spare beds and on couches. It meant the family garage being transformed into a man cave where things parents would never permit could happen.
“The only time we saw 101 angry is when he was forced to cut his precious hair for his sister’s wedding in 2021. He never went back to a hairdresser again. Being 101’s alarm clock was a role his mum and I took up when he left school and started his apprenticeship. ‘Get up, mate. Get up, mate. Mate, get up are you not going to work?’
“Followed by drive safely and don’t speed – that became the morning Monday. 101 thrived at work. He loved working. Loved his job. And he idolised his boss. It meant he had money for TA Tuesdays and Wednesday Wings at the Feathers. 101 was adored by the sausage dogs Grace and Zoe, who would sneak into his bed at night.
“On a good day, we would be lucky to see 101 for 30 minutes between him getting home from work and heading out with his mates. But it was enough,” Rehn read, wiping tears from his eyes.
“101 is Charles Hinchcliffe Stevens, Charlie, Charlie boy, Chaz, Links and Stevie – you loved life and gave so much to so many – a force of nature. We will never forget your beautiful, cheeky disarming smile. Son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, friend, workmate, teammate – So much more than just a number on a road tally.”
Image and audio: Today Show (Nine)