EXCLUSIVE
A young boxer and motorcycle racing partner who died of a suspected drug overdose in Vietnam was given a farewell in a noisy tribute featuring luxury cars, a motorcycle burning and a fireworks display.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at St Agatha’s parish church in Cranbourne, south-east of Melbourne, on Tuesday to pay their respects to Vincent Atulia, 24, after he died alongside his partner Andrew Colivas, 25, on August 24 during a boys’ trip overseas.
Vietnamese authorities are now investigating whether the couple mistakenly ingested drugs laced with fentanyl.
Dressed in black, his loved ones and friends turned up at the church at 11.30am to pay their respects to Atulia, who was a wrestler, member of the CFMEU and a convicted criminal with links to illegal motorcycle gangs.
Vincent Atulia, 24, died in Vietnam last month
Cars were filmed spinning out of the cemetery
The monument later featured a fireworks display.
A source told Daily Mail Australia that several of Atulia’s “fellow bikers” – believed to be Comanchero members – were among those attending Tuesday’s service.
Videos of the memorial posted online show mourners holding blue balloons lined up along the church entrance in an honor guard as pallbearers carried Atulia’s white coffin to a hearse.
Guarded by a procession of motorbikes and luxury cars, including Harley Davidsons, Mercedes and Lamborghinis with licence plates reading “GUILTY” and “ANGRY”, the hearse then made its way to the cemetery, where it was lowered into the ground.
As he left to go to the wake, several cars could be seen spinning on the road, sending clouds of smoke into the air.
Another video taken later that night revealed fireworks being set off in Atulia’s honour, with one friend writing: “What a send-off that was for you.”
However, while the friends gathered to say goodbye, one of Atulia’s friends remained stuck abroad.
At the time of their deaths, Atulia and Colivas were on holiday with a group of friends, including three other Australians, who had been receiving support from the Department of Foreign Affairs following the tragedy.
In a statement on Wednesday, DFAT said it was now only supporting one Australian trapped in Vietnam.
According to the Herald Sun, the other two men flew in recent days after being unable to leave following the deaths of Atulia and Colivas.
Online appeals to raise funds for the families of the two deceased men raised more than $100,000 and described Atulia as a God-fearing family man.
“Most who knew Vincent knew that family and God were always the central purpose of everything he did in his short life,” he said.
‘He gave his life to provide for and protect his beloved family.’
Friends and family were seen burying Vincent Atulia on Tuesday
Atulia is pictured with Andrew Colivas, 25, who also died on the trip.
Bemir Saracevic (center) is seen with fellow Comancheros Allan Meehan (left) and Tarek Zahed (right)
But last month, the Daily Mail Australia revealed that Atulia and Colivas were convicted criminals who had racked up a string of charges over the years, including drug and violence charges.
In June 2020, Atulia was involved in a house shooting in Ferntree Gully, alongside a group of men including rebel biker Scott Rye.
Atulia also mutually followed several underworld figures on social media, including veteran Comanchero Bemir Saracevic, who was among the largest donors to her GoFundMe.
Despite their history with the law, both men have been described by relatives as “deeply religious”, and a tribute to Atulia circulated online following his funeral, calling him a “true son of God”.
Colivas was farewelled in a separate ceremony at St Peter and Irene Orthodox Church in Hawthorn East on Monday.