Carl’s family fly out to court as murder trial starts
Hope of justice for teacher murdered in Reunion
The family of Carl Davies hope they will get justice – almost six years after he was killed.
Carl, a former Isle of Sheppey Academy teacher, was found dead on the south Indian Ocean island of Reunion in November 2011.
It was initially thought the 33-year-old had fallen into a ravine but, a week later, it was revealed he had been murdered.
Since then his family have been left with unanswered questions but have never given up hope of securing justice for Carl.
His parents, Andy and Maria, who lived in Harrietsham, sister Kerrie Stewart and her husband, Joe, will be in court as the man charged with his murder stands trial.
It was due to start yesterday (Wednesday).
Speaking before their journey to Reunion Island on Sunday, Mrs Stewart said she felt anxious and wasn’t sleeping.
She said: “We don’t really know what to expect. We know the trial will last for three days and it will be held on Saint Denis and that there’s one to stand trial.
“There were four to begin with but three were released due to lack of evidence.
“It’s just going to be horren- dous but we need to make sure Carl’s voice is heard on that island.
“I just hope and pray we get the outcome he deserves.”
On whether she thinks going to the trial will help the family move on, Mrs Stewart said: “We’re going to see and hear things that we don’t want to hear but we need closure and to get on with our lives – that’s what Carl would have wanted.
“If we don’t go out there, we’ll regret it for the rest of our lives.”
Mrs Stewart, who now lives in Scotland, said she felt Carl had already been failed by the island’s justice system, but support from people in Kent had been amazing.
She said: “In the five years that we have battled this, we have never once felt like we were on our own. I think it’s because Carl’s death was so shocking and he was such a big character.
“Everyone loved him and misses him so much.”