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Sophie's Legacy
Sophie Elliott had everything to live for - good looks, intelligence, friends, a loving family, a degree under her belt and a new job at the Treasury in Wellington. And then, the day before she left Dunedin to take up that job, she was brutally stabbed to death in her own home by her former boyfriend, Clayton Weatherston. He was much older and one of her lecturers at the university. When the public came to take his measure at his high-profile trial in 2010, his narcissitic, manipulative personality stunned the nation. Sophie's mother Lesley has weathered the horror of her daughter's death, and the gruelling process of the trial, to set up a foundation to help young women identify when they might be in a relationship that puts them in harm's way - as Sophie was, unbeknownst to her and her family - and how to seek help. This book is Lesley's tribute to a daughter she adored, her harrowing account of a tragedy no family should ever have to endure, and her inspiring decision to make sure that Sophie's legacy endures. It's also her challenge to the justice system on behalf of victims.
Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 4, 2011
I cried my way through this book and have given it five stars because it just has to be read. Such a brave mother and such a reminder that New Zealand's justice system has to be much more in favour of the victim.
October 31, 2024
Wow. I wasn't really aware of this event (maybe being in high school and not watching/reading the news) but this book really impacted me. I have never felt so disgusted in a singular person or questioned how a defense attorney could do their job so passionately for a person as disgusting as Clayton. I guess that is why I am not a lawyer, because I could not put 100% effort into something I not only don't believe in, but and horrified by.
September 11, 2011
Sophie's Legacy is upheld by her mother Lesley, who bravely takes us through the terrible day her daughter was murdered, her experience of Sophie and Weatherston's relationship. The difficult court process and individual written tributes to Sophie.
It probably isn't much of a surprise that this book is a tough read. At the time the murder tore apart the city, and shocked everyone with its brutality. Hearing a mother's personal account only makes it that much more poignant.
Lesley writes well, and does her daughter a great honour. Challenging as the book is, it also is completely compelling and unputdownable. Lesley is completely honest with us, and aside from ultra-personal diary entrys Lesley lets us have it, sharing everything from her personal reactions, her medications to her delving into mystical interventions to hear from her daughter again.
My only complaint of this book is William J O'Brien's contribution. It is well known that Lesley has become a strong advocate for legal change in NZ law. However I found a chapter criticising (however accurately) the legal process a little to political for my liking. Its quite something to hear Lesley's intermost experiences, and while I understand the intent, I found the discussion of law to dimish the impact of Lesley's work.
Sohpie's Legacy is powerful reading, and I recommend making sure you give yourself afterwards to process, but definitely pick this book up!
It probably isn't much of a surprise that this book is a tough read. At the time the murder tore apart the city, and shocked everyone with its brutality. Hearing a mother's personal account only makes it that much more poignant.
Lesley writes well, and does her daughter a great honour. Challenging as the book is, it also is completely compelling and unputdownable. Lesley is completely honest with us, and aside from ultra-personal diary entrys Lesley lets us have it, sharing everything from her personal reactions, her medications to her delving into mystical interventions to hear from her daughter again.
My only complaint of this book is William J O'Brien's contribution. It is well known that Lesley has become a strong advocate for legal change in NZ law. However I found a chapter criticising (however accurately) the legal process a little to political for my liking. Its quite something to hear Lesley's intermost experiences, and while I understand the intent, I found the discussion of law to dimish the impact of Lesley's work.
Sohpie's Legacy is powerful reading, and I recommend making sure you give yourself afterwards to process, but definitely pick this book up!
September 8, 2023
A true story not for the faint hearted .
October 23, 2024
Heavy read but also important.
May 19, 2025
Devastating story of abuse and murder, along with one family’s fight for justice.
July 16, 2023
May we all never be Lesley Elliott, watching our amazing childs memory being trampled on in the name of defense of their killer.
Sophie definitely should have been going places. That creep was going to do this to someone eventually.
What a harrowing time for the whole family and community. I still have vivid memories of these events unfolding.
All that said, this book could have done with some editing. A lot of bits felt repetitive and over long - although I can understand the desperate desire to share how awesome Sophie was, having been unable to do so during the trial.
I'm also really glad that the perpetrator had his appeal dismissed and is still in prison. Although he's due out within a couple of years... 18 years from when he was arrested in 2008 puts that in 2026.
Sophie definitely should have been going places. That creep was going to do this to someone eventually.
What a harrowing time for the whole family and community. I still have vivid memories of these events unfolding.
All that said, this book could have done with some editing. A lot of bits felt repetitive and over long - although I can understand the desperate desire to share how awesome Sophie was, having been unable to do so during the trial.
I'm also really glad that the perpetrator had his appeal dismissed and is still in prison. Although he's due out within a couple of years... 18 years from when he was arrested in 2008 puts that in 2026.
June 12, 2020
This is the story of Sophie Elliott- a young girl who was murdered in Dunedin in 2008 by her ex boyfriend. Written by her mother Lesley, the book is primarily about recounting who Sophie was as well as discussing the rights of victims in criminal proceedings. The book really illustrates the despair and grief that Lesley and Sophie’s family went through and it’s harrowing to read at times. It feels weird to say anything at all critical of the book, given the raw emotion that is in it, but more discussion about how domestic violence in relationships evolve may have been appropriate.
April 26, 2021
I feel very sorry for the victims, Sophie is just 3 years younger than me. What Lesley is doing via Sophie's foundation is really inspiring and there should be government backing to educate Women on signs of abuse, cause early detection will save lives. It is also very apalling to know about the stats that in every 28 days a woman will die from abuse, not sure how much have improved from then to now. I am just speechless on the amount of cruelty that a human being is capable of and feel really sorry for the family. I truly hope they are in a better place now and I will pray for them.
June 25, 2021
Gave a 5-star review because Sophie and Lesley's story is so powerful and moving. From Sophie's abusive relationship, her mother witnessing the very horrific crime, the court proceedings, and how the family dealt with such adversity - I think it is a must-read.
I still think about this book 5 years after I read it.
I still think about this book 5 years after I read it.
March 14, 2021
Eye opening book. Very sad.
February 13, 2022
an amazing sharing by a mother who was traumatised by the murder of her daughter. Very well written and an important sharing.
May 27, 2023
Harrowing & heartbreaking
June 4, 2013
Feel so so sorry for the family of Sophie, but mostly for her mother. It must have been such a terrifying horrific traumatic experience, especially witnessing such events. I have lost most, if not all, faith in the justice system and keep wondering how and why they practically dug through Sophie's life and diary and tried to find things that could almost benefit her killer in an attempt to try and justify his actions. The killing of Sophie was obviously premeditated and carried out in cold blood, we know this because if it was in self defense why had he not stopped after stabbing her once? Why would you continue to stab someone 216 times in self defense? How could you then go on to mutilate the body "out of self defense"? I'm glad that the judge found Clayton guilty, although the sentence doesn't seem fair enough...
One thing that I'll probably never understand is why they took so long in sentencing Clayton Weatherston. The first responding cop on the scene found him at the scene, and Lesley (Sophie's mother) witnessed the crime itself. They had all this evidence against him and even if Sophie somehow provoked him (which we know she didn't) why should he have gotten off the charge. I'm glad that he got served, but I wish he was dealt a much longer time in prison. He doesn't deserve to live his life when he took the life of someone else and had no remorse to show for it.
It's disgusting that Lesley had to not only witness the murder of her daughter, but she also had to deal with seeing the man who took her daughters life in the courtroom and have to listen to them bring down Sophie's reputation and make her sound like she deserved it or brought it on herself. All this on top of having to see Clayton's smug face at the hearings and seeing him show no emotion but smiling and joking is absolutely sickening! I cried in reading the few chapters from her death, through Lesley's letters to Sophie, to how the case played out in court and Clayton's reactions, along with the way his lawyer attempted to portray Sophie.
Sophie sounds like she was an overall happy girl with an amazing personality who had her head well screwed on. I feel sad at the loss of such a beautiful woman who had such a bright future ahead of her and at the thought of what her family had to go through after her death, after the court case and even now the loss of their Daughter and Sister that they'll have to deal with for the rest of their lives.
I hope Clayton lives a very short life, and if death row is ever brought back I should certainly hope that he is put down very slowly and very painfully. I know it's so cliche but I genuinely feel a hatred for this man and how he could carry out such acts and have no bad conscience about it. Evil has many faces and yes, Clayton Weatherston is definitely one of them. He is just pure evil, this is the only answer I can come up with to a question I repeatedly ask myself: "how is a human capable of doing this to another person and not feel any remorse or any guilt for what they've done and who they've hurt?" Clayton Weatherston hurt a lot of people by murdering Sophie and to feel no regret for any of it but to be able to sit there and laugh and joke about it in front of those people is just horrible. He's a monster! I wish I could vent all the anger built up in me since reading this book through a really long hate mail and sending it to Clayton, only god knows how Lesley and the rest of Sophie's family must feel.
Instead of remembering Sophie as 'the girl who dated her tutor and was killed by him', I now remember her as a really gorgeous, smart, bubbly girl who had a really great future ahead. I like to think that had she made it to Wellington we could have met or been friends, she seemed to be a really great person. Clayton Weatherston on the other hand... Well he can just rot. I hope he never gets to see the light of day outside those prison walls and I hope if he ever gets out someone will do to him what he done to Sophie.
One thing that I'll probably never understand is why they took so long in sentencing Clayton Weatherston. The first responding cop on the scene found him at the scene, and Lesley (Sophie's mother) witnessed the crime itself. They had all this evidence against him and even if Sophie somehow provoked him (which we know she didn't) why should he have gotten off the charge. I'm glad that he got served, but I wish he was dealt a much longer time in prison. He doesn't deserve to live his life when he took the life of someone else and had no remorse to show for it.
It's disgusting that Lesley had to not only witness the murder of her daughter, but she also had to deal with seeing the man who took her daughters life in the courtroom and have to listen to them bring down Sophie's reputation and make her sound like she deserved it or brought it on herself. All this on top of having to see Clayton's smug face at the hearings and seeing him show no emotion but smiling and joking is absolutely sickening! I cried in reading the few chapters from her death, through Lesley's letters to Sophie, to how the case played out in court and Clayton's reactions, along with the way his lawyer attempted to portray Sophie.
Sophie sounds like she was an overall happy girl with an amazing personality who had her head well screwed on. I feel sad at the loss of such a beautiful woman who had such a bright future ahead of her and at the thought of what her family had to go through after her death, after the court case and even now the loss of their Daughter and Sister that they'll have to deal with for the rest of their lives.
I hope Clayton lives a very short life, and if death row is ever brought back I should certainly hope that he is put down very slowly and very painfully. I know it's so cliche but I genuinely feel a hatred for this man and how he could carry out such acts and have no bad conscience about it. Evil has many faces and yes, Clayton Weatherston is definitely one of them. He is just pure evil, this is the only answer I can come up with to a question I repeatedly ask myself: "how is a human capable of doing this to another person and not feel any remorse or any guilt for what they've done and who they've hurt?" Clayton Weatherston hurt a lot of people by murdering Sophie and to feel no regret for any of it but to be able to sit there and laugh and joke about it in front of those people is just horrible. He's a monster! I wish I could vent all the anger built up in me since reading this book through a really long hate mail and sending it to Clayton, only god knows how Lesley and the rest of Sophie's family must feel.
Instead of remembering Sophie as 'the girl who dated her tutor and was killed by him', I now remember her as a really gorgeous, smart, bubbly girl who had a really great future ahead. I like to think that had she made it to Wellington we could have met or been friends, she seemed to be a really great person. Clayton Weatherston on the other hand... Well he can just rot. I hope he never gets to see the light of day outside those prison walls and I hope if he ever gets out someone will do to him what he done to Sophie.
January 22, 2012
In Sophie’s Legacy, Lesley Elliot tells us about the brutal murder of her only daughter by Clayton Weatherston, Sophie’s ex-boyfriend and tutor. Not only did Lesley witness her daughter’s horrifying death, but she also had to endure a harrowing trial where the killer “systematically shredded Sophie’s reputation in a vain attempt to excuse or minimise his actions”. Being unable to respond to Weatherston’s web of lies was unbearable in itself, but the Elliott family felt completely shut out of the judicial system for the entire duration of the trial. Poor lines of communication and lengthy delays for trial dates left the Elliotts with the impression that the judicial system was more concerned with providing rights for the defendant than seeking justice for the victim.
“Sophie’s Legacy” is a tribute to a loved daughter, at the same time, providing Lesley with an avenue to respond to Weatherston’s lies. A compelling read.
August 8, 2011
It is so very hard to give this book a star rating. It is so tragic and heart breaking but Lesley deserves the respect any decent writer gets. She is an inspiaration. Such resilience, love and strength. I am so terribly sorry for this whole family. Although the truth is shocking and terrible it is important to learn and I thank Lesley for her courage. I would have been proud to have Sophie as a friend or sister and feel as though I know her. I don't reccomend reading this book quickly, I did and it caused me a sleepless night. I should have read a longside a less intense book and read over a period of time. It affected me that much.
July 22, 2013
I need to point out that I didn't love this book - it's about the witnessed murder of Sophie Elliot by her mother, so there's nothing to like. However it's a well written book that talks alot about the NZ Justice System, but which also gives Sophie back a pile of her dignity which her murderer tried to take away in court with lies. I'm sorry murderer, but you don't stab anyone 216 times in self defence so your attempted defence should have been thrown out at the start. Lesley, I wish you knew how much of a plonker he made himself seem to Joe Public. You are an amazingly couragious woman. I hope that the Sophie Kate Elliot Foundation does all you would wish and more.
March 6, 2016
I gave this book five stars not because I "liked" it, for how can you like such a harrowing account, but because of the courage of Lesley Elliot. After witnessing, but not being able to stop, the worst nightmare a mother could possibly go through, she then had to face so much more heartbreak at the hands of the NZ judicial system. Yet through it all she has gone on to start a foundation which seeks to educate our young people to recognise unhealthy, manipulative and dangerous relationships before it is too late.
August 17, 2014
Excellent read. Sophie's story is really close to my heart. I got out through Woman's Refuge but After more than 4 years I still look over my shoulder. Yes, Sophie, you are speaking from the grave. So sad that you were so young when you passed on but your legacy will go on forever. To Lesley, Thanks for this excellent read, you have done a great job, very informative and an eye opener.
March 9, 2015
I loved it! Raises awareness of abusive relationships and pays tribute to a young woman with a bright future ahead of her.
RIP Sophie and thank you Lesley for telling Sophie's story and restoring her some dignity. Mt thoughts go out to Lesley, Gill, Nick, Chris and the rest of the Elliott family.
RIP Sophie and thank you Lesley for telling Sophie's story and restoring her some dignity. Mt thoughts go out to Lesley, Gill, Nick, Chris and the rest of the Elliott family.
December 4, 2011
A very emotional read. I gave it 3 stars but only because I can't say that I 'enjoyed' reading it. It was very well written and I really don't know how any mother is supposed to get over something like this. :(
July 1, 2012
This was an absolute harrowing read but I found I couldn't put the book down until I had finished it. What amazing strength and courage Leslie found in telling this terribly sad story about her daughters death.
August 23, 2012
I thought it was a great read. Weatherston is an animal though and poor Sophie!!! :( it's good though for girls to have awareness of dangerous relationships and this could also help them get out of one if they are in one!
April 14, 2013
Very well written, a must read for ALL young women. Sophie was a beautiful girl inside and out and what her family went through, no one should ever have to endure. Thank you to the Elliott's for fighting for justice and making a difference, your love for Sophie will always live on.
July 26, 2015
What a powerful heartbreaking read! As a Mother of daughters I found it moving and devastating. I think Lesley Elliott is an amazing woman who has channelled her pain into helping others! Bless her and her family!
September 9, 2015
A difficult read at times due to the horrific nature of the story. Nevertheless was a compelling insight to the NZ justice system. Lesley Elliott says he wanted to tell Sophie's story and restore her dignity. She achieved this with immense bravery and dignity.
July 21, 2012
heartbreaking its true, but has me hooked.
November 8, 2015
Knowing it's a true story and personally knowing the people involved, it's a very hard to read, but an insight into an untimely murder.
September 10, 2014
A very moving read, providing an insight into the justice system from a victims point of view.
June 10, 2017
an eye-opener!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews