Neighbours of a police officer who died at his engagement party have revealed the celebration was loud and rowdy – until it suddenly ended in blood-curdling screams after 1am.
British-born senior constable Liam Trimmer, 29, and his fiancée Lilly Watts threw a raucous party at their home in Perth, Western , on Sunday night.
As well as celebrating their engagement, the couple also announced to loved ones that they were expecting their first child.
But the happy moment ended in tragedy when Mr Trimmer fell over and slashed a carotid artery in his neck, killing him almost instantly.
Ms Watts – who is 14 weeks pregnant – told Daily Mail on Wednesday that her fiancé will ‘always be the love of my life and our baby will know the wonderful man he was’.
Now, neighbours in the small community have recalled being kept awake by the loud music from the party on the night of the tragedy.
They said they heard men speaking into a megaphone in the couple’s backyard, before women started to scream in horror as the situation unfolded.
Liam Trimmer is pictured with his fiancée Lilly Watts. They were excited for the birth of their first child when he died on Sunday
Mr Trimmer fell over at home in Perth (pictured) at his own engagement party on Sunday
One neighbour said: ‘We don’t know what happened but they were outside and one of the boys got on a megaphone at 1am, the music was loud, then the screams and then nothing.
‘We heard screams coming from girls – like giant, high-pitched shrieks.
‘We figured something might have happened, you know maybe someone fell or got injured.’
Another said the music was so loud she considered calling police to make a noise complaint.
She said: ‘I’m new to the area so I didn’t want to be a party pooper but it was close to 1am on Monday morning, it sounded like there were more than 50 people there.’
An elderly couple who live across the road from Ms Watts and Mr Trimmer said they too heard noise from the party and were happy when it stopped.
‘We didn’t think much of it but we did notice the police leaving the following day with ‘a van-load of stuff,’ the woman said.
The cause of Mr Trimmer’s accident has not been confirmed.
Ms Watts is a nurse and guests at the party were largely comprised police officers and health workers who did everything they could to save his life, but his injuries were too severe.
Lilly Watts is pictured in Perth during a short outing with her family
Ms Watts’ mother Channy (pictured left, with her daughter) did not want to comment on the tragedy
The Watts family were spotted walking their dog in local streets on Wednesday, with the young mum-to-be seen wearing her engagement ring.
EXCLUSIVEREAD MORE: Fiancée of British cop killed in tragic accident at their engagement party in reveals she is pregnant
Pictured: Lilly Watts and Liam Trimmer
Earlier that day, Ms Watts’ close friend Mel Kelly created a GoFundMe page to raise money for the single mum.
The appeal raised more than $110,000 in less than 24 hours.
Ms Kelly wrote: ‘Lilly’s world was shattered by a freak accident that claimed the life of her beloved fiancé.
‘The evening was meant to be a joyous celebration of Lilly and Liam’s recent engagement and announcing their pregnancy, a huge milestone in their journey together.
‘Friends and family gathered to share in their happiness. In a cruel twist of events, Liam’s life was cut short leaving behind a void that can never be filled.’
She said Ms Watts had lost her ‘soulmate’ who now faces the prospect of raising her child alone, while juggling living costs.
Ms Watts’ mother Channy Watts declined to comment on the tragedy when approached on Thursday.
Mr Trimmer was originally from the UK but he moved to in 2013 and joined the police force.
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch described Mr Trimmer as an ‘extremely well-liked’ and respected officer with his ‘whole life ahead of him’.
‘I know when my phone rings early in the morning from a senior officer, generally it’s not good news, and tragically it wasn’t,’ he said.
‘I know everyone that was involved is really, really hurting at the moment, and I think they wish they could just wake up from this nightmare.’
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Pictured: Liam Trimmer and his fiancée Lilly Watts, who is pregnant with their first child