Killer Robert Xie abused me, niece Brenda Lin says

Brenda Lin, the niece of murderer Robert Xie, has broken her silence on the abuse she suffered from her uncle.

Brenda Lin, the niece of Robert Xie, arrives at the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017.

Brenda Lin, the niece of Robert Xie, arrives at the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017. Source: AAP

The sole surviving member of the Lin family says her uncle, convicted killer Robert Xie, sexually abused her.


Brenda Lin was 15 and overseas on a school trip when Xie bludgeoned her parents, her two little brothers and her aunt to death in their Sydney home in July 2009.

In an interview on Seven Network's Sunday Night program, Ms Lin broke her silence on a motive behind the murder.

"Did your uncle Robert Xie sexually abuse you?" host Melissa Doyle asked her.

"Yes he did," Ms Lin replied.

"That's something I'm very private about and that at this point in time I don't feel comfortable talking about.

"So I hope people can respect that."

The murders left Ms Lin an orphan so she went to live with Xie and his wife Kathy Lin, the closest family she had.

She said she was unsure of herself at the time, and her uncle knew this.

"I was very insecure," she said. "I didn't know what I was doing. He knew that. He read it very well."

Ms Lin broke down in tears throughout the interview as she spoke candidly of the pain of losing her family.

"I'd give anything to have my family back," she said.

But she said her outlook on life had improved because after many good people reached out in support.

A jury found Xie used a hammer-like object to inflict horrific head injuries on his wife's family members as they slept.

He was jailed for life.

Share
2 min read

Published


Share this with family and friends


News

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
Independent news and stories connecting you to life in Australia and Mandarin-speaking Australians.
Understand the quirky parts of Aussie life.
Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
Simplified Chinese Collection

Simplified Chinese Collection

Watch onDemand