After finding their son’s burial site, Matthew Leveson’s parents took something home to remember him by.
Earlier this week human remains were found under a cabbage tree palm in the Royal National Park, which investigators have confirmed belong to Matthew Leveson.
Although police were still awaiting the results of forensic tests when Leveson’s parents were at the site, they were allowed to take home a tree in memory of their son.
On Twitter, Mark and Faye Leveson thanked and raised a glass to those involved in the search and everyone who has helped in the long process of bringing Matthew home.
The tweet included a photo of Mark and Faye standing in front of a ute, with a palm loaded onto the back, and another image of the couple raising a glass to their supporters.
In a later tweet, Mark posted an image of the palm tree planted in the Levenson’s backyard with the caption: “Matt’s Palm in its new location in our back yard. It certainly is Matty’s Palm too as DNA testing has now been completed.”
Matthew Levenson was just 20 years old when he was last seen leaving ARQ nightclub in Darlinghurst in 2007, with his partner Michael Atkins.
Atkins was tried and acquitted of Leveson’s murder and manslaughter 2009, but admitted to lying on the stand at the inquest into Leveson’s death.
He later led police to the burial site and in exchange was granted immunity from persecution for perjury. Due to double jeopardy laws it’s unlikely that he will be prosecuted for Leveson’s murder for a second time.
Top Comments
Such a sad story but I'm really perplexed as to why you would take a photo at the scene smiling that you loaded up a palm tree to take as a souvenir?
Those poor parents have spent 10 long years searching for justice and their son. Years knowing who the perpetrator is, watching him escape justice and still not being able to lay their beautiful son to rest. If taking home the palm tree that protected their son's body during that long, lonely decade where they had to endure the unspeakable torment of not knowing gives them some measure of solace, who are we to judge? These people deserve our utmost compassion, and however they choose to grieve and remember their son, or even celebrate his life, should be respected.
Very well put.
I'm not judging, it just seemed a little odd to me. Just because I'm confused by this does not mean I'm not compassionate or respectful.
I'm not judging, it just seemed a little odd to me. Just because I'm confused by this does not mean I'm not compassionate or respectful
How that jury exonerated Atkins will always remain a mystery to me
I concur. And what a terrible choice for Matthew's family to have to make - the chance for justice or finding their baby boy to lay him to rest. At the very least, I hope karma or some sort of natural justice exacts retribution on Atkins.