All Saints star Virginia Gay attacked before fatal bashing
Herald Sun
June 19, 2008
THE mother of a TV star bashed by two men who then killed a Sydney chef has told of how her daughter is recovering after the frightening attack.
Penelope Gay, the mother of All Saints star Virginia Gay, said today the Channel Seven actress was recovering at her Stanmore home this morning.
Mrs Gay said she was recuperating well.
"She is ok, she is feeling fine," Mrs Gay said.
Homicide squad detectives arrived at the actresses' home today at 11am to speak to her about the incident.
She was punched repeatedly in the face and was lucky not to have been killed by the blows.
Gay, 26, who plays nurse Gabrielle Jaeger in the medical TV drama series, was severely beaten as two men tried to steal her handbag last Friday night.
She was attacked at 11.50pm last Friday night as she walked along Illawarra Road, Marrickville.
Police said that fifteen minutes after mugging Gay, the men bashed and robbed a 30-year-old chef, Daniel Owen, who died as ambulance officers tried to save him.
Gay was reportedly taken to hospital but was released the same night, with no serious injuries.
Mr Owen's parents returned to Sydney on Sunday from a holiday in New Zealand after police informed them of his death.
Mr Owen's brother, who is serving with the army in Iraq, flew home on Monday.
One of the attackers was described as 188 centimetres tall, with a muscular build and light olive skin, a shaved head and clean-shaven face.
The second man was described as about 170 centimetres tall, had a slim build with dark skin, and possibly a shaved head.
Both men are believed to be between 18 and 25.