The children of a woman who was beaten to death in her own bedroom by her drug-addicted partner still tell her “I love you mummy” every day, her heartbroken family has revealed.
Police found the body of 26-year-old Synamin Bell at her home in Millicent, near Mount Gambier, South Australia, shortly after 11pm on 12 March 2022.
Ms Bell was beaten to death and her crushed skull was bashed with a baseball bat before she was repeatedly stabbed.
Her new boyfriend at the time, Cody James Edwards, 27, was arrested at the scene.
Edwards recently pleaded guilty to manslaughter after previously pleading not guilty to murder.
The murder charge was dropped during his trial in June.
Heartbreaking victim impact statements written by Ms Bell’s loved ones were read out during a hearing at the Mount Gambier courthouse on Thursday.
A statement written by Ms Bell’s mother, Rosemary, revealed how her grandchildren did not even understand what death was like when their mother was taken from them, and that they still say “I love you mummy” out loud every day.
Police found the body of 26-year-old Synamin Bell (pictured centre) at her home in Millicent, near Mount Gambier, South Australia, shortly after 11pm on 12 March 2022.
Cody Edwards (pictured) expressed remorse for his actions during an apology he read in court.
Ms Bell’s death had a heartbreaking impact on her children, who were aged three, four and six at the time.
“It was heartbreaking to have to explain to them that their mother would never be coming back. Their little hearts were broken,” the grandmother’s statement read.
“The son, who is now eight years old, wakes up at night crying because he has forgotten what his mother’s voice sounds like.
‘The daughter, who is now six years old, does not look in the mirror because everyone tells her that she looks like her mother and seeing herself and not her mother hurts her too much.
‘The youngest goes to her mother’s photo every day and tells her how she did at school.’
The children were not at home at the time of their mother’s death.
The mother of three was beaten to death and her crushed skull was bashed with a baseball bat before she was repeatedly stabbed.
Ms Bell’s mother said her daughter, who was due to start studying for a medical degree to help treat her immunocompromised daughter, was kind and caring.
“The children will face many challenges as they grow up without their mom. No matter what we do, we cannot erase her loss,” she wrote.
“They received a life sentence of loss and pain and were robbed of having the most important person in their lives, but (the man who did that) will be free in a few years. How does that make sense?”
Judge Adam Kimber also heard emotional statements from Ms Bell’s sister, Brenda, and a close friend, Oliver Thornley, the Adelaide Advertiser information.
Loved ones urged Judge Kimber not to let Edwards “get away with it” by imposing a severe punishment.
A victim impact statement written by Ms Bell’s mother Rosemary revealed how her grandchildren still say “I love you mummy” out loud (pictured, Synamin Bell)
Brenda said in her statement that the significance of her sister’s death should not be forgotten even though the charges against her former lover were downgraded.
“My sister’s death was not only a tragic event, but a horrific act that left our family with lifelong trauma,” her letter states.
Several members of Ms. Bell’s family waited outside the courtroom as Edwards read an apology to the court.
He expressed remorse for his actions and said he will remain “haunted” by what he did to Ms Bell, whom he said he loved.
Cody James Edwards had difficulty answering detectives’ questions during his police interview
Footage from a police interview after Edwards was arrested captured the moment he struggled to find words as he was questioned.
“Are you okay?” the officer asked worriedly.
Edwards replied: “Am I okay? Yes.”
A few moments later he realized the seriousness of the situation.
‘This is real, isn’t it? Holy shit!’
Edwards was seen lying with his head on the table and hitting his head several times.
He is expected to be sentenced on Friday.
