Coping with Carl's death
by Hayley Robinson
The first anniversary of Carl
Davies’ death was never going to be easy.
But his parents Andy and Maria say
they found some comfort in meeting up with family and friends for a
drink in memory of their son.
Around 60 people made their way to
Woodstock Sports and Social Club on Friday to join the couple and
their daughter Kerrie Stewart who travelled down from Scotland with
her husband Joe and their daughter Lily.
The following day the family were
joined by 100 people at Minster beach where Chinese lanterns were
released into the night sky.
Mr Davies, who lives with his wife
in Harrietsham, said: "We weren’t going to do anything to start
with, just have a quiet day reflecting but so many people kept
asking if we were going to do anything that we said maybe we should
and I’m grateful we did.
"It was good for us and just what
we needed. There were a few tears but the first anniversary was
always going to be difficult."
Former Sittingbourne Community
College teacher Carl, of Harrier Drive, was just 33-years-old when
he was killed on the French administered island of Reunion last
November.
The couple were initially told
their son had died after falling into a ravine, but a week later
they received the news the former Royal Marine had been
murdered.
To date no arrests have been
made.
Last month the family received a
dossier of information about how the French police handled the
investigation into Carl’s death.
But they face paying £2,700 to get
it translated as it’s written in French. As they cannot show it to
anybody else because of a confidentiality contract the only person
who can translate it is their lawyer who will charge them a
fee.
Mr and Mrs Davies applied to the
judge four weeks ago to get permission for them to be able to show
it to a third party to get it translated but they are still
awaiting an answer.
Carl’s sister Kerrie says they
won’t give up the fight to get justice for him.
She said: "It’s still so raw and he’s missed so much, it’s
heartbreaking. If we don’t wake up with that fighting spirit in our
hearts it’s over and we can’t let that happen."
More than 2,500 people have signed a
petition demanding information about the death of Carl Davies,
pictured. 
The e-petition, which was set up by
Carl’s sister Kerrie Stewart on September 10, needs 100,000
signatures for it to be debated in the House of Commons.
An opening statement written by Mrs
Stewart says: "We want the government to help us all they can and
not keep fobbing us off with ‘we have no jurisdiction in their
country’.
"French police can come here and
conduct investigations into murder but we can’t go to France and do
it. My brother, an ex-Royal Marine who fought for his country, is
now being let down by his country."
To sign the petition, go to
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/38382
13/11/12
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