Surfer Adam Coleman’s parents plan to return to Mexico following sons murder
Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman were keen surfers and travellers. Photo: Facebook
Despite being “gutted” by the murder of their son and his best friend, the parents of a West Australian surfer killed while travelling in Mexico in late 2015 say the response they have received in the wake of the “ordeal” has shown them “the world is overwhelmingly good”.
A letter written by Zena and Andrew Cattermole, parents of Adam Coleman, who, along with his friend Dean Lucas, was murdered in the northwestern state of Sinaloa, was read in Federal Parliament on Wednesday.
Federal Member for Brand Gary Gray shared the letter with fellow MPs.
Adam Coleman’s parents were overwhelmed by the support they got after receiving the tragic news.
Adam Coleman’s parents were overwhelmed by the support they got after receiving the tragic news. Photo: Facebook
The letter said the death of their son and his friend Dean Lucas had changed their lives “in the most unimaginable way”.
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“He, along with his childhood friend, Dean Lucas, was murdered by robbers on a highway in Sinaloa. Their murders were brutal and that is something we will struggle with for the rest of our lives,” the letter said.
While the men were killed on November 21, it was not until a week later that the car that the men’s’ remains were was found and due to the “brutality of the assault” the men had sustained, it was another week until their deaths were confirmed.
Golden Bay man Dean Lucas died alongside his childhood friend Adam Coleman. Photo: Facebook
The Coleman and the Lucas families both travelled to the United States and Mexico during this period.
“Throughout this ordeal we have been treated with the utmost respect and kindness by almost everyone we have come into contact with,” the Colemans wrote in their letter.
“We would like to thank the Mexican government who helped to resolve this dreadful situation and aided us to get our children home,” the Colemans said.
“They were very cooperative and never shied away from the horror of this incident.
“We understand that they are trying hard to make Mexico safe and although we were gutted by this incident we have an affection for Mexico and its people.
“We were constantly asked for forgiveness by individuals who had nothing to do with this crime. We know it was five people who were responsible for Adam’s death and we bear no grudge against anybody else.”
The Colemans said the plan to visit Mexico in the future “as tourists and not grieving parents”.
“We don’t want people to remember Adam as a victim of crime, but as a world citizen who loved life and everyone he met.”
They also thanked the Australian Federal Police for their professionalism, the WA Coroner’s office for taking carriage of the case, the Australian Consular Officials and Virgin Airlines who also assisted them and everyone who contributed funds to help bring their son’s body home to Australia.
Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/wa-news/surfer-adam-colemans-parents-plan-to-return-to-mexico-following-sons-murder-20160204-gmljgd.html#ixzz3zEYZjA8p
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