Heartbreaking update from daughter of elderly couple stabbed in home invasion as police refuse to rule out charges against dad who shot alleged attacker

By MAISY RAE and KARLEIGH SMITH Published: 23:49, 8 June 2026 | Updated: 23:52, 8 June 2026 The daughter of an elderly couple who were stabbed during a violent home invasion last week has issued a heartbreaking update as police refuse to rule out pressing charges against her dad. Keith and Di Blessing were asleep at their home in Torrington, about 65km south-west of Tenterfield in northern New South Wales on Thursday, when police allege Joshua Dylan Trethewey, 34, broke into their home and stabbed the pair. Ms Blessing, 72, suffered a chest wound and collapsed, while her 75-year-old husband was slashed across the abdomen before he fought back and shot Trethewey in self-defence. As they recover from emergency surgery inside Gold Coast University Hospital, their daughter Kathy Blessing said her parents will never be the same again after the attack. 'My dad is a true gent. He's always been my hero, but, in the face of their horrific attack, he was so brave,' Ms Blessing told the Daily Telegraph. 'Mum was too, trying to fight him off as well. They thought they were going to die. 'They'll never be the same, physically or psychologically, but they are still with us, and for a while, we were so scared about that too.' Ms Blessing's comments come just days after defiant Torrington residents challenged police over their refusal to publicly rule out formal action against Mr Blessing for shooting his alleged attacker. Keith and Di Blessing (pictured) were stabbed in a horrifying midnight home invasion Their daughter Kathy said the Blessings believed they were going to die and won't be the same Keith Blessing allegedly fought off Joshua Trethewey at the rural property in Torrington, NSW Locals packed a town hall meeting on Friday as Inspector James Parsons said the law of self-defence was complex and he could not guarantee charges would not be laid. His comments came despite a police source previously telling the Daily Mail that Mr Blessing was unlikely to face charges given the circumstances in which he used the firearm.  The community has since organised a fundraiser to help the couple recover, make security upgrades to their home and help bolster a potential legal fund if charges are laid against Mr Blessing. 'He's my bloody hero - to defend himself while bleeding heavily would have taken a hell of a lot of courage and strength,' neighbour Sissy Greaves said. 'We're a tight bunch from the bush and if the police charge Keith, they'd have to charge us all. If he goes down, we'll all go down with him.' Resident Julie Johnson added: 'I’m right behind Keith – he did the right thing, to defend his home and his wife.  'I now want to get a gun licence, it’s expensive, but I need to feel safe in my home.' Police said Mr Blessing, who is a licensed gun owner, shot Trethewey in the abdomen after calling Triple Zero for urgent help just after 12.15am. But before emergency services arrived, Trethewey allegedly attempted to re-enter the house and was shot. Detective Superintendent Chris McKinnon praised Mr Blessing's bravery hours after the attack Locals said Trethewey would frequently drive between Deepwater and Torrington It's understood Trethewey is under police guard while in an induced coma at Armidale Hospital. He has been charged with two counts of cause wounding/grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder and is yet to face court. The Daily Mail revealed last week Trethewey lost his mother to Motor Neurone Disease just hours before his alleged attack. The disease is a rare, progressive and fatal disorder that destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Trethewey lived with his mum in Deepwater, 28km south-east of Torrington, after his father John died of cancer in 2024.  Multiple sources within Deepwater said Trethewey suffered from mental health issues. Police said he was not known to his victims, but Trethewey was a regular visitor to Torrington and was often seen driving in the area in a silver hatchback. 'He drove from Deepwater to Torrington twice a day and touched the phone box, and then drove back,' said one local. The Blessings' home is on the route between Deepwater and the Torrington payphone. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.