A memorial tree planted in Matthew Leveson’s honour has been found vandalised hours before his funeral, which was held today.
In September 2007, Matthew Leveson went missing, last seen in leaving ARQ Nightclub in Sydney – only last June were his remains found within the Royal National Park, where the tree was planted by Matthew’s family.
On Thursday afternoon, Matthew’s family visited the memorial tree to find all memorial signs removed, including plagues, fresh flowers and gifts. Matthew’s father Mark Leveson took to Twitter to share a photo and express that he was “absolutely devastated“. “Nothing is left!”, he wrote.
Absolutely devastated. The night before Matty’s funeral we visited his memorial tree in the National Park to find it vandalised. Butterflies taken, gifts taken, memorial plaques taken, fresh flowers taken. Nothing is left! @RoyalNatPark pic.twitter.com/4F92YOgeCN
— Mark Leveson (@MarkLeveson) March 8, 2018
It is another pain for a family whose grief have been public for a decade as they tried to find what happened to their son.
The burial spot was found last June when Matthew’s former partner Michael Atkins confessed to burying the body in the park and lead police to the remains.
Previously, Matthew was acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges in 2009.
Michael was granted legal immunity from prosecution in 2016, after the Leveson family reached out to make a deal. He confessed to burying the body, saying that he panicked after Matthew died of an overdose after leaving ARQ.
The funeral service was held this afternoon at Woronora Chapels, Sutherland. Attendees were encouraged to wear bright colours to honour Matthew.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald.
