Devastating details from brothers’ funeral
The father of Ben and Russell Smith, who were fatally stabbed inside their Blue Mountains home, delivered a heartbreaking eulogy for his sons, pledging to “never stop loving (them)”.
At least 750 loved ones gathered to pay tribute to the two young boys, aged just 9 and 11, who were found dead in their Faulconbridge family home on Tuesday September 10.
It will be alleged the boys’ father found the bodies, with emergency services called to the Chapman Parade home around midday following reports of a concern for welfare for a woman and two children.
The boys’ 42-year-old mother, Trish Smith, was found with multiple stab wounds and has since been charged with the alleged murder of her two sons.
According to court documents, police allege both boys were murdered sometime between 7.30pm on September 9 and 12.30pm on September 10.
Ms Smith did not make an application for bail when she appeared before the Parramatta Bail Court on September 14 where she was represented by solicitor Paul McGirr.
NSW Police confirmed a funeral service will be held at St Thomas Aquinas in Springwood on Wednesday from 11am.
It’s understood the church was overflowing, with about 700 people inside and about 50 people standing outside the church.
Mourners embraced outside the church, with father Nick Smith delivering a heartbreaking eulogy for his two sons, who were the “biggest pleasures and joys of (their loved ones’) lives”.
“Boys, it’s been an absolute, absolute privilege to be your father. I hold you so deeply in my heart,” Mr Smith said.
“You are loved by your family, through your friends, through the community through the school, through your soccer club, through the Panthers, throughout society.
“You will be so missed. You had such beautiful little lives, such beautiful, beautiful adventures.”
Mr Smith said he would make sure his sons are “never forgotten”.
“You were such wonderful, cheeky, funny, charismatic boys,” he said.
“You made the world a better place.
“You’re my world. You’re my little Ben, my Russ, you’re my best crew.
“I’m gonna miss you two so much. Your memories are your legacy.
“I love you so much. I will never stop loving you. No one else will either.”
The boys’ family requested media not enter the service or approach mourners.
Mr Smith, who it’s understood wasn’t living at the home when he allegedly found the boys, earlier said the loss of his sons has caused “unimaginable pain and distress” in a statement.
“Russell and Ben were happy, funny, outgoing boys, and were very much loved by their family and friends,” the statement read.
“Like other boys their age, they loved sports, soccer, the Penrith Panthers, fishing, books, music, spending time with their friends and Max their pup.
“We cannot understand how our boys have been taken this way and we appreciate the kindness and compassion shown by the community,” he said.
“We also ask the media respects our need for privacy at this time and give us the time and space we need to grieve.”
Solicitor McGirr said the incident was an “absolute tragedy” while speaking outside court on September 14.
“There’s a lot of people hurting,” Mr McGirr said.
“At this stage I can’t say anything more in relation to what’s going to happen with the matter until we get all the material.
“There’s a lot of family members who are really hurting in respect of this – parents, grandparents and the like. We’d ask that you respect that privacy.”
Ms Smith is set to front court on November 8.
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