A FAMILY member of one punch attacker Kieran Loveridge says he is “doing time” for the death of Thomas Kelly, but is not to blame for his younger brother Stuart’s sudden death.
Karissa-Leigh Loveridge used Facebook to defend her cousin, Kieran, over the second Kelly death, and point a finger at the Kelly family, reported Yahoo7.
“There is no way in the world my cousin Kieran can take the blame for Stuart’s death as he did not intentionally kill him,” she wrote, before suggesting Stuart’s parents were at fault for putting the then 16-year-old in front of the media.
Loveridge is serving a 10-year sentence for killing Thomas Kelly, 18, in an unprovoked, drunken attack in Sydney’s Kings Cross in 2012.
In a double tragedy for the Thomas family, Stuart Kelly, 18, was found dead in his northern beaches home last week. He had taken his own life.
It then emerged Stuart Kelly had been targeted by online trolls and bullies who took exception to the campaign his family ran against alcohol-fuelled violence — which partly led to the introduction of NSW’s tough lockout laws.
She said her family was sorry for the loss the Kelly family was experiencing — but then cruelly suggested their own actions contributed in some way.
“Stuart has been bullied over this and was also bullied for going to politicians regarding lockout laws. Not that this is an excuse for Stuart’s death as no one deserves to die,” the post seen by Yahoo 7 and the Daily Mail said.
“But the public need to understand the Kelly parents did put this 16-year-old in front of the media and continued to do so as the years have gone on.”
According to Yahoo7 the shocking post continued: “I am not justifying my cousin’s actions but don’t just assume this is my cousin’s fault.”
Stuart was only 14 when older brother Thomas, who he called his “best friend”, was killed by Loveridge.
He spoke at a gala dinner attended by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and NSW Premier Mike Baird to raise money for the Thomas Kelly Foundation last year.
In the speech he spoke of his devastating loss.
“Thomas never deserved to die that night, it was not meant to be his time. In fact, I believe now that it could and should have been avoided. Our family lost a son and a brother,” he said.
“I ask all of you to look at me, I am but one person who has been affected by violence. It is a sentence that I have to carry for the rest of my life. My mother, father and sister now carry this sentence. Our relatives and friends, Tom’s friends, carry this sentence.”
His father Ralph Kelly posted online last week of the heartbreak he and his wife Kathy were experiencing after Stuart’s death.
“The most painful goodbyes are the ones that are never said and never explained,” he wrote in the Facebook post.
A funeral notice, placed by his parents and sister Madeleine, said he lived “a very special life and brought us all so much joy and happiness”
“You showed extraordinary strength, courage and hope. We will miss you forever our darling Stuart, together in peace with your beautiful brother Thomas.”
Anyone seeking emergency help with mental health issues or needing crisis support should contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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