Advertisement

Andrew Chan's secret first 'wife' speaks out

A Victoria woman is claiming to be the secret first ‘wife’ of executed Bali Nine ringleader Andrew Chan.

Leonie Smyth told media the two had shared an emotional four-year relationship and that during that time Chan was a father figure to her son, Josh, who is now 13.

“As crazy as it sounds, he was a father figure to Josh. Josh even called him dad,” she told News Corp.

Friends put Smyth in touch with Chan in 2009 during a trip to Bali. She was initially hoping to meet convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby, who was serving a jail sentence at Kerobokan prison at the time.

Smyth and Chan’s relationship blossomed over Skype and phone calls and they never met in person. The relationship started off as friendship, as the two ex-drug addicts bonded over their common experiences.

The Bendigo local claims Chan proposed to her on Skype in 2012 after sending her a ring and a picture of a stick man on one
knee.


The relationship deteriorated after a period of time and Smyth said she now regrets some of the things she said to Chan during heated exchanges.

Smyth said she was happy Chan was able to marry Febyanti Herewila before his execution.

Andrew Chan and Febyanti Herewila's wedding ceremony. Photo: Facebook
Andrew Chan and Febyanti Herewila's wedding ceremony. Photo: Facebook

“Me and Feby were close for two years – little snake, I always thought she liked him,” she said.

“But I’m glad, she would have adored and loved him.”

She said she was heartbroken at the execution despite their apparent “nasty break-up”.

She wrote scathing comments directed at Indonesian authorities on Facebook leading up to the execution and afterwards.

“MURDER THEM!!! NOT 'execute' let's not sugar coat this, they're not getting executed.”

She also wrote that Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were too young at the time of their crimes to understand the consequences.

“These boys have not only seen how stupid they were to do it when they were 21 year old kids, working as labourers, full time in a Sydney stadium.

‘They were young and dumb, but the offer of holiday and making money too great. They were on drugs themselves!”

Morning news break – May 3