On the 8th of May 2011 twenty nine year old Andrew (Andy) Marshall was tragically killed after being thrown through a window at the Ocean Beach Hotel in Cottesloe, Western Australia.
I was the investigating Police Detective and am trying to raise money to assist Andy’s family erect a memorial plaque at the site of his death. A place for family and friends to visit. A place to reflect. A place to remember.
Andy wasn’t involved in a bar fight. Andy wasn’t doing anything wrong. Andy was killed by an outlaw motorcycle group associate described as ‘intensely angry’ who didn’t like the fact Andy was talking to ‘his sister’.
Andy’s parents, Alan & Wendy Marshall, are two of the kindest and most genuine people you could meet. A normal family from New Zealand who has had to endure what few of us could imagine. Sadly for Alan and Wendy life will never be normal again.
Over three long years Alan and Wendy have travelled from New Zealand and sat through two Supreme Court trials and an appeal. Following the first trial in 2012 the offender was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 14 years before being considered for parole. The offender successfully appealed his conviction and in May this year was found guilty of Manslaughter. He was sentenced to 9 years imprisonment.
The financial cost to Alan and Wendy has also been huge. Following Andy’s death they moved to be closer to family. Closer to much needed support. Alan took unpaid leave from work to travel to Perth for the numerous court proceedings.
Alan and Wendy plan to erect a plaque in memory of Andy at the site of his tragic death. Quotes for the plaque itself are around $1000. But let’s not just stop at the plaque. Let’s show Alan and Wendy the Western Australian spirit and raise as much as we can so we can help with their airfares and accommodation for the unveiling of the plaque.
Feel free to email me at matthew.donkin@gmail.com if you need more information.
A top guy and great parents. Thoughts are with you.