"Violet's birth is a testament to our belief that love is stronger than hate," the Maslins said.
"Violet's birth is a testament to our belief that love is stronger than hate," the Maslins said.
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Violet May was born Tuesday May 10, 2016

The Maslins lost three children on MH17. They were traveling with their grandfather Nick Norris, who also died in the crash

CNN  — 

An Australian couple who lost three children in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 have had a new baby.

Marite ‘Rin’ Norris and Anthony Maslin announced their daughter, Violet May, saying in a statement she had brought them “love and light, hope and joy.” She was born Tuesday, May 10.

The couple’s three other children – Mo, Evie, and Otis Maslin – died alongside their grandfather Nick Norris when MH17 was shot down over Ukraine in July 2014.

Otis, Evie and Mo Maslin died in the MH17 crash.
Otis, Evie and Mo Maslin died in the MH17 crash.
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‘Torn apart’

“Our family was torn apart when MH17 was blown out of the sky,” the Maslins said, in a statement released by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs.

Remembering MH17 crash victims

They added: “We believe that Mo, whose 14th birthday was Saturday, Evie, 12 next week, Otis, 10 next month, and Grandad Nick have sent us an amazing gift. Violet’s birth is a testament to our belief that love is stronger than hate.”

“We still live with pain, but Violet, and the knowledge that all four kids are with us always, brings light to our darkness.”

“We will continue to love all four of our children equally. Violet brings some hope and joy for us. We hope she brings hope and joy for you too.”

Complete coverage of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17

Marite 'Rin' Norris and Anthony Maslin.
Marite 'Rin' Norris and Anthony Maslin.
Paul Kane/Getty Images

Shot down

The wrecked cockipt of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 is exhibited during a presentation of the final report on the cause of the its crash at the Gilze Rijen airbase October 13, 2015. Air crash investigators have concluded that Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down by a missile fired from rebel-held eastern Ukraine, sources close to the inquiry said today, triggering a swift Russian denial. The findings are likely to exacerbate the tensions between Russia and the West, as ties have strained over the Ukraine conflict and Moscow's entry into the Syrian war. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
The wrecked cockipt of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 is exhibited during a presentation of the final report on the cause of the its crash at the Gilze Rijen airbase October 13, 2015. Air crash investigators have concluded that Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down by a missile fired from rebel-held eastern Ukraine, sources close to the inquiry said today, triggering a swift Russian denial. The findings are likely to exacerbate the tensions between Russia and the West, as ties have strained over the Ukraine conflict and Moscow's entry into the Syrian war. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
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Related video MH17 crash: Final report released

MH17 was heading from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down on July 17, 2014, over Ukrainian territory controlled by pro-Russian separatists. All 298 people on board died in the crash.

In their report on the incident released last October, Dutch investigators found that the plane crashed after a missile warhead exploded outside the cockpit.

Investigators: Ukraine had reason to close airspace before crash

Several Western nations and the Ukrainian government have accused pro-Russia separatists operating in the region of shooting down the plane with a missile.

Rebel leaders and the Russian government have repeatedly disputed those allegations, and have suggested instead that Ukrainian forces shot the plane down with either a surface-to-air missile or one of their own fighter jets.

Following the report’s publication, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said “we must do the utmost so that the people who did it will not avoid … punishment.”