EXCLUSIVE:
New details have emerged about a couple tragically killed in a motorcycle crash just minutes from their home, as their grieving family rally around their orphaned young son.
Lynette Reader, 35, and Paul Pearce, 39, were on a motorbike which collided with a Toyota Aurion as they crossed a ridge in the Perth suburb of Tapping on Sunday evening.
Mr Pearce was killed at the scene while his partner died en route to hospital.
Relatives told Daily Mail Australia the couple were close to returning home when tragedy struck.
Their six-year-old son Jaxxon is now cared for by Ms Reader’s father and stepmother.
The couple were childhood sweethearts who began dating at age 13 and had on-and-off periods until their teens before realizing “they were meant to be” and moved to Perth together more than ten years ago.
The broken loved ones have vowed to make sure Jaxxon gets all the love and support he needs as they plan his parents’ funeral and share photos of the happy family.
Jaxxon (left) will be raised by his grandparents after his parents Lynette and Paul died in an accident on Sunday evening
Paul Pearce, 39, and his partner Lynette Reader died minutes after returning home
“We are all devastated to lose them both,” Alana Gould said.
“We received a call around 2:30 a.m. that there had been an accident and that Lynette and Paul had died. We were so shocked that we couldn’t go back to sleep.
She paid tribute to her fiancé Will’s aunt and uncle, who she first met while living in Perth last year.
“Lynette was the kindest person ever, very loving and generous,” she said.
“I was going through a divorce at the time and she was very supportive, always willing to listen. She was a nice person to hang out with.
“Paul was very cheeky, worked hard to provide for his family and loved his bike.”
She added “Netty” and Mr. Pearce loved Jaxxon who will now grow up without his parents.
“They adored him, he was so spoiled by them,” Ms Gould said.
“Jaxxon has his good days and his bad days.
“He understands that his parents are no longer there. There are times when he bursts into tears and cries with all his heart.
“His grandmother and father are determined to raise him and give him all the love he deserves.
“He has his friends and his school in Perth, where Nan and Pop are absolutely determined to do their best to look after him.”
Ms Gould and her fiancé have also pledged to help Jaxxon and his grandparents as much as they can, despite now living in Queensland.
Broken family members gathered around Jaxxon (pictured with his mother last Christmas)
Lynette Reader, 35, and Paul Pearce, 39 (pictured) were childhood sweethearts
Ms Gould organized a fundraiser to support the couple’s families which has already raised more than $2,000.
“They left behind their little boy Jaxxon who they loved dearly. Nan & Pop have taken Jaxxon under their wing and will care for him until he is old enough,” the page states.
“With now not one but two funerals to plan, we would be delighted to relieve Lynette and Paul’s family of any financial needs that arise during this difficult time.”
“The family and friends of Lynette and Paul are shocked and deeply saddened by this double loss. There are no words to describe the feelings we have as we wake up to a world without Lynette’s beautiful smile and Paul’s cheeky smile.”
The tragedy sparked a wave of grief among loved ones.
“A loving young couple who loved their son dearly… I have no words other than ‘taken too soon’,” Ms Reader’s mother Kaylene told Nine News in a statement.
Paul will be best remembered for his cheeky and sinister demeanor while Lynette has been described as the “nicest person ever”.
Jaxxon’s grandparents have taken the six-year-old under their wing and will raise him.
Ms Reader’s brother Todd took to Facebook to express his grief.
“The pain I feel is difficult to express in words,” he wrote.
“I wish you would stay in Tasmania, I wish it was just a bad dream.” You leave behind your beautiful son, I promise to be there for him. This is a pain I never wanted to feel, you were supposed to get old and grumpy with me.
“A sister is someone who loves you from the bottom of her heart, no matter how much you argue, you can’t separate. It was a joy that was taken away.
A separate, independent fundraiser has been organized for Ms Reader’s mother, who hopes her daughter’s body can be returned to Tasmania.
“This was a very shocking event and we are still (shocked). There are no words to describe the heartbreak she is facing. Any amount will help, if there is anything left it will help at the expense of his funeral,” the page states.
Paul (left) and Lynette (right) were heading home when tragedy struck
The couple had lived in Perth for 13 or 14 years.
The investigation into the crash continues, including whether speed was a factor.
The driver of the Toyota Aurion, 43, suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital.
WA Police Commissioner Colonel Blanch has made a heartbreaking appeal following the tragedy.
At least 110 lives have been lost on Washington state’s roadways so far in 2023.
“This is another very strong and sad reminder that motorcycling is a dangerous means of travel and that you need to be very careful in how you ride a motorcycle,” Commissioner Blanch said.
Anyone with information about the crash or who has a dashcam is asked to call CrimeStoppers.
Police are investigating whether speed was a “factor” in the crash in Perth’s north.
