WE’VE BEEN IN TEARS SINCE DAY ONE
Russell Peachey’s family on their struggle to come to terms with his death a year on from his murder
THE family of murdered dad Russell Peachey have spoken of their “tears since day one”, a year after the death of their loved one. Russell, 35, was left lying in a pool of his own blood in the Grangetown area of Cardiff following a sustained and “savage” attack.
A trial at Cardifff Crown Court heard that the father-of-two was hit with a weapon believed to be a hammer and was subjected to further blows as he lay in the road defenceless, in what was described as a “brutal” and “merciless” killing.
J James Williams, , 31,, was sen- tenced to life imprisonment on April 12 this year after he was found guilty by a jury of murdering Russell, having previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Williams’ co-defendants Christopher Smith, 35, Dean Beasley, 37, and Shaminder Singh were found not guilty of murder.
A year on from his brutal murder, Russell’s family are still struggling to come to terms with the death of their father, brother and uncle.
Russell’s sister Michelle Griffiths, 47, who lives in Grangetown, said she heard about Russell’s death on the day of her granddaughter’s 10th birthday as the family were preparing for a party.
Asked whether the sentencing of Williams had brought some closure for the family, Michelle said: “No, never. It’s something you never get over.
“I have been in tears since day one and it’s just really broken me. To look at his two young sons and see the heartache and pain they’re going through is heartbreaking.
“All he ever wanted to be was a dad and have his own children. He was a dad for eight years but his life was taken in a minute by that evil scumbag. The world is just cruel.
“He was more of a son to me than a brother after my mum died, and it’s hard with him not being around any more.”
Michelle described Russell as a “jokey boy” who would “do anything for anyone”.
She said: “He was such a lovely person and to know him would mean you would have a friend for life. To be taken the way he was is just something you can’t get to terms with. He had never been in trouble. If he was ever out in a club or pub and something was kicking off, he would just leave.
“He didn’t like arguing, he didn’t like any of it and he was just bullied on the night he died. “They have taken a legend.” Three days after Russell’s death, friends and family gathered in North Street, where he had been found unconscious, to light candles, release lanterns and lay flowers as a tribute.
A similar event will take place in North Street on Tuesday as a “celebration” of Russell’s life.
Michelle said the family will have a “quiet day” on the anniversary of Russell’s death.
There will be a family fun day held at St Paul’s Church Hall, in Paget Street, Grangetown, next Saturday, and a tribute night at the Grange Albion club on the same night, which is a ticketed event.
Both days will raise funds for Russell’s two sons, Dylan, eight, and Rylan, seven.
Michelle said: “Basically I thought we’d do the fundraising to raise some money for his two sons so they have a bit of a future, something for later on.”
Michelle also wished to say thank you to the community of Grangetown for their help and support.
She added: “The support of the community is still there and they still can’t believe Russell is not here.
“From the day it first happened until a year on they’re still supportive. A big ‘thank you’ to everybody in the community who have been there with their support and their kind donations.”
Tickets for the fun day and tribute night can be bought from the Grange Albion club and at the Holmesdale Street post office, in Grangetown.