Russell Lea Tragedy: New Blow for Broken Family as They Break Silence After Brutal Death of Mother of Three
The family of a murdered mother of three, believed to have died at the hands of her new roommate, have broken their silence as they try to sort out her financial affairs.
Annette Kiss, 53, is believed to have died when her new housemate Benjamin Art, 42, attacked her with a sword, a meat cleaver and a claw hammer at their shared home in Russell Lea in Sydney’s west last Thursday.
When police arrived, they reportedly found Art lying on Mrs. Kiss’s body with the sword. It was a terrifying scene that deeply affected first responders.
A few days after the horrific attack, friend Sharon Hacker launched a campaign toaise funds for Mrs. Kiss’s three adult children: Six, Samuel and Hayely.
On Wednesday, eldest son Six thanked the community for the support they have given them in their grief, as they now face high legal and funeral costs.
“As the days go by, reality dawns on us more and more and every day we miss it,” he wrote.
‘Unfortunately, because she was so young, she never made a will. That is why we now have to arrange the administration through the court. That will take some time and lawyers are not cheap.’
The fundraisingThe original goal was to raise $10,000 to cover the family’s unforeseen expenses, but the fundraising effort has since been increased to $20,000.
Annette Kiss, 55, was allegedly murdered by her new roommate last Thursday morning
“I am self-employed myself and the loss of income and business is becoming a major issue as we take time to process the grief and sort out her affairs,” Six explains.
“I have raised the target here to help us get the legal stuff in order and to cover the loss of income in the coming period.”
According to police, roommate Art ran into Russell Lea’s home last Thursday morning with a gun, yelled at his four roommates to sit down and showed text messages from an unknown sender to Ms. Kiss on his phone.
“You trying to set me up, who’s going to kill me? Who’s this chick texting me?” he allegedly yelled, according to court documents.
“You’re trying to trap me or have me killed, and now you’re trying to kill me.”
Art allegedly held Ms. Kiss by the neck before grabbing the cleaver, while another female housemate used a chair to stop the alleged attack before fleeing and calling police.
Detectives later said it was one of the worst crime scenes they had ever encountered.
On Friday, a neighbour told Daily Mail Australia that the surviving housemates were “too traumatised” to return to the house and collect their belongings.
Benjamin Art (pictured) has been charged with the alleged violent murder of his roommate
The photo shows Russell Lea’s house, where Annette Kiss was believed to have been murdered
Annette (center) pictured next to daughter Hayley and son Samuel
The fundraiser has already raised $10,630 of the $20,000
On Friday, Art was represented by barrister Javid Faiz in Parramatta Bail Court on Friday. He did not apply for bail, but this was formally refused.
“My client understands the seriousness of the matter,” Mr Faiz said outside court, according to the Daily Telegraph.
“He has instructed me not to file a request for release today.”
His case will be heard again at Burwood District Court on August 22.
School principal Christine McDonald said Thursday that Art has no history of violence and that he has not had a romantic relationship with Ms. Kiss.
