VIC: Heartbroken sister suicides after brother s murder

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-1999
VIC: Heartbroken sister suicides after brother s murder

A Melbourne inquest has heard the torture murder of a 14-year-old boy had broken his twin
sister's heart and finally drove her to kill herself.

The Melbourne Coroners Court has heard RUTH LORRAINE RUSSELL, 15, took an overdose of
heroin because of unresolved grief about her brother JOEL'S death on January 17, 1997.

She was discovered in her health services accommodation bed on October 9, 1997.

Coroner JACINTA HEFFEY told the court a suicide note found in her room said she couldn't
handle living without her brother.

Six men stood trial over the abduction, torture and murder of the boy last year.

JOEL was allegedly abducted with his 17-year-old brother WADE and held captive for five
hours under a Melbourne suburban house on January 14, 1997.

JOEL'S body was found on January 17 in the Yarra River, wrapped in sheets and bed covers,
tied with electrical cord and weighed down by a brick.

LANCE EDWARD FRANKLIN, 39, of Reservoir, was convicted of murder in September and sentenced
to 22 years jail with a minimum of 17 years.

AAP RTV cmc/ra/am/jn

KEYWORD: RUSSELL (MELBOURNE)

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