Wife of Fatal Shark Attack Victim Breaks Her Silence: ‘I Have a Little Girl That Keeps on Asking Why’ By Latoya Gayle

A woman is speaking out two months after her husband was fatally attacked by a shark at a beach in Australia.

During an interview with national outlet 9News on Wednesday, Nov. 12, Maria Psillakis remembered Mercury Psillakis as being “my rock, my everything.” He was mauled to death by a large shark in Sydney’s Northern Beaches on Sept. 6.

Mercury had been in the water at Dee Why 30 minutes before he was “critically” wounded and lost multiple limbs to the sea creature.

“I have a little girl that keeps on asking why, and I don’t know what to tell her,” Maria told 9News.

The widow revealed she’s sharing her husband’s story in the hopes that it will prevent other families from suffering the loss of a loved one to a shark. 

“Losing Merc has put a place in my heart that I can’t really put into words,” Maria said. “If we can make a positive out of this loss, I just want to … minimize the risk and perhaps prevent this from happening to another family.” 

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Mercury’s death came just two weeks before the start of the patrol season, which involves the use of drones, according to 9News. The surf club was closed and there was a 45-minute delay in triggering the shark alarm.

Maria said beachgoers returned to the water within 10 meters of where her husband died less than half an hour after the incident. 

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The shark that killed Mercury couldn’t be detected by authorities as it was untagged with smart drum lines, per 9News. Maria is advocating for change by calling for Premier Chris Minns to join conversations with scientists, surf lifesavers and the local community.

“I want to advocate for evidence-based systems to perhaps prevent another tragedy like this,” Maria told 9News.

She said her husband was aware of the dangers of surfing in the ocean, but she’s fighting to minimize those risks. 

“I want [Mercury] to be remembered as the remarkable guy he was … is,” she concluded.