A career criminal who turned his life around to defend victims of institutional abuse has been remembered as a “lovable larrikin who was loyal to the bone”.
But missing from the funeral of TikTok star Russell Manser, whom he said goodbye to in an emotional service at Pinegrove Memorial Park in Minchinbury, west of Sydney, on Monday was one of his closest loved ones.
His fiancée, Krystle Piggott, “couldn’t come today because he’s on bond at a halfway house,” Manser’s son, Kye, told mourners.
“I know dad loves you,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.
Manser, a former sexual abuse survivor and hardened criminal, transformed his life when he founded his charity, The Voice of A Survivor, to help victims of physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
Manser died suddenly at his Sydney harbor front apartment on March 23. His cause of death has not been revealed.
Russell Manser became a TikTok star after spending almost half his life in and out of prison.
Mourners arrive at Manser’s funeral at Pinegrove Memorial Park in Minchinbury, western Sydney, on Monday.
Mourners at the service told stories of Manser’s colorful criminal past, including how he stole a Porsche on Sydney’s northern beaches.
Mourners at the service told stories of Manser’s colorful criminal past, including how he stole a Porsche on Sydney’s northern beaches and then escaped from prison and posed as a German tourist in an attempt to evade capture.
Former prisoner John Killick, a good friend of Manser who wrote his biography The Voice of a Survivor – the Russell Manser Story, spoke of his early days at Mount Druitt, in Sydney’s west.
Manser was famous for walking around the neighborhood with his Staffordshire terrier named Butch, who carried a brick in his mouth and played fetch, Killick recalled.
He told how Manser “saw the poverty around him and wanted to be a bank robber.”
“One day that happened,” he added.
At a young age, Manser began petty crime, stealing cars, committing some robberies and was eventually captured and sent to the famous Daruk Children’s Home, which later became the subject of the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse.
Killick said the damage done to Manser in the four months he spent in Daruk “stayed with him for the rest of his life.”
After his release, Manser’s criminal cycle began. He was in and out of prison for years and suffered abuse at other correctional institutions.
Manser then faced his demons and began acting on behalf of abuse victims by giving evidence to the Royal Commission.
In an emotional eulogy, one mourner said he “had the best partner in the world” and spoke of how Manser was always “dressed to impress” and “that if you think George Clooney was a silver fox… please.”
At a young age, Manser began petty crime, stealing cars, committing some robberies and was eventually captured and sent to the notorious Daruk Children’s Home, which later became the subject of the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse.
Other speakers at the service told how Manser touched many lives and advocated tirelessly for survivors’ rights.
Ron Isherwood, a retired career criminal who has spent decades helping recovering drug addicts and had been a mentor, also gave an emotional speech saying, “I’m supposed to be a tough guy.”
Isherwood said Manser came to him when he was “fucked up, at his worst, but he got up, dusted himself off and got another chance.”
Other speakers at the service told how Manser touched many lives and advocated tirelessly for survivors’ rights.
Leticia Campbell, director and general manager of Warriors Advocacy, said: ‘Russell’s own journey included being committed to an adult prison when he was 17, where he suffered repeated sexual abuse at the hands of filthy paedophiles.
“This experience ultimately led to his addiction and spending a total of 23 years in prisons in different states across Australia.”
Manser died suddenly at his Sydney harbor front apartment on March 23. The cause of death has not been revealed (pictured, a mourner at the service)
Campbell described Manser as: “A staunch warrior who could dine with kings and dance with paupers.”
Manser’s son Kye remembered his father as “a great man, a loving man, a generous man” who “taught me so much more than you would ever believe.”
Manser’s fiancée, Mrs. Piggott, played a recorded tribute.
Andrew Carpenter, a friend and fellow advocate for survivors of child abuse, concluded the tributes by speaking of Manser’s “passion for helping people.”
It was a common theme throughout the service.