BROKEN AND ANGRY
Mother tells of Son’s sad discovery
WHEN Sam Leschke’s lifeless body was discovered at his Mudgeeraba home, he was being closely guarded by two of his closest mates – the family’s pet dogs.
Mother Teena Leschke fought back tears as she spoke of how their two Australian bulldogs were lying next to Mr Leschke, 21, on Saturday morning when his 17-year-old sister found him.
“We’re broken ... and angry, as anybody would be.” Police are calling for witnesses to a brawl outside nearby Wallaby Hotel prior to Sam heading home.
HE LOVED ME, HE LOVED HIS FATHER, HIS BROTHER, HIS SISTER, HIS NIECE. HE LOVED TO HAVE A DRINK WITH HIS MATES ... IT DIDN’T HAVE TO BE AT THE PUB TEENA LESCHKE, SAM’S MUM
WHEN Sam Leschke’s lifeless body was discovered at his Mudgeeraba home, he was being closely guarded by two of his closest mates – the family’s pet dogs.
Mother Teena Leschke told the Bulletin their two Australian bulldogs were lying huddled next to Mr Leschke, 21, on Saturday morning when his 17year-old sister found him.
Yesterday, Ms Leschke fought back tears as she remembered her “gentle giant,” a young man who loved to spend time with his family and friends.
“My boy’s gone and he’s not coming back,” she said.
“We’re broken, just broken. And angry, as anybody would be. We just want justice for Sam.”
It comes as Mr Leschke returned home on Friday night after having a drink at the local pub, the Wallaby Hotel.
He was found lifeless at the back of his Soma Crt home the following morning around 9.30am.
Police say Mr Leschke was involved in some sort of altercation at the hotel, which spilt into the neighbouring park.
Officers are looking for up to seven men involved and are treating his death as suspicious.
Born in Darwin, Mr Leschke moved to the Gold Coast with his family at just seven
months of age before graduating from high school at Robina State High School a few years ago.
Ms Leschke said her son “was just a normal boy” and a “good kid” who wanted to work hard and enjoy life.
He was working full-time as a stonemason when he died and lived at home with his family.
“He had stopped once to save a roaming dog (that had escaped from the yard), that’s just the type of person he was,” she said.
“We have two dogs and he loved them.
“He loved to hang around his mates and he loved motorbikes.
“He would ride occasionally with his brother and friends. He loved me, he loved his father, his brother, his sister, his niece.
“He loved to have a drink with his mates ... it didn’t have to be at the pub, but at a friend’s house.”
Ms Leschke said her son “didn’t deserve to die,” adding she found out about his tragic death while she and her husband, Barry Leschke, were on holiday overseas.
“He was a gentle giant, he would do anything for anybody,” she said.
“My husband and I just had our 25th wedding anniversary.”
Despite being remembered by many friends, Mr Leschke’s mother said he had a close group of friends he liked hanging out with.
Ms Leschke said the last photo she had of her son was at his 21st birthday in November last year.
Mr Leschke is survived by father, Barry, mother Teena, 24-year-old brother Toby and 17-year-old sister Kataya.
A post-mortem examination has been performed to determine cause of death.
His funeral will be held at a later date yet to be decided.