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I'll cherish our memories: Madeleine Kelly

The sister of one-punch victim Thomas Kelly has posted a heartfelt message to Facebook after her second sibling died this week.

As she mourns the death of her second sibling this week, the sister of one-punch victim Thomas Kelly says she will cherish the memories of her "beautiful brothers" forever.

Madeleine Kelly took to Facebook late on Wednesday night to post a tender family photo of herself with Stuart as a toddler and their older brother Thomas.

"You are both so loved. My beautiful brothers. I'll cherish our memories forever," Madeleine wrote in a message accompanying the photo.

Stuart's death on Monday, which is not being treated as suspicious, occurred almost three weeks after the fourth anniversary of Thomas's death.

Stuart was 14 when his older brother died after being randomly punched while walking with his girlfriend in Kings Cross in July 2012.

Following his brother's death, Stuart went on to campaign heavily against alcohol-fuelled violence, and support the work of the Thomas Kelly Foundation.

The campaign, coupled with the death of one-punch attack victim Daniel Christie in 2013, eventually led to the controversial lockout laws being introduced by the NSW government the following year.

Christie's brother, John, also took to the social media site to remind those who are "quick to 'spray' vitriol" about the laws to be mindful about their comments.

"RIP Stuart Kelly. I know how it feels to be caught in the same strange position," Mr Christie wrote on Facebook.

"To be a proverbial 'bouy' (sic), awash in a sea of motives and agendas, of people our age, business owners, and MP's trying to find a solution.

"Do we as family members of victims innately have an answer?

"No I don't think we do, we are just very unfortunate individuals who lost the ones which we love."

Mr Christie also commended Stuart Kelly for his strength and courage, and for "trying to make the city a safer place".

Social media has been flooded with messages of support and condolence for the Kelly family since Stuart's death.

The boys' father, Ralph Kelly said his family was expressing unbearable grief in the wake of Stuart's death.

"The most painful goodbyes are the ones that are never said and never explained," he wrote on Facebook on Tuesday night.

The King's School at Parramatta, where Stuart and Tom both attended, has offered its support to the Kelly family.

* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.


3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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