Latest news with #Serbeck
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Daily Record
Dad 'beaten to death by friend' while trying to defend daughter
Louis Serbeck died after he was allegedly beaten by his friend since high school and the pal's son. A father was allegedly beaten to death by a long-time friend and his son after he confronted them while trying to defend his daughter. On Easter Sunday, Louis Serbeck, 54, was killed after he and his daughter Brooke, 19, went to the Vineland area of New Jersey to the home of Eric Hannah, 55, and his son Jacob, 17, reports the Mirror. Serbecks' daughter claimed the pair had left her with black eyes and that she was beaten up after spending the night there. The dad had intended to speak with his friend since high school Hannah, but allegedly found the situation became "extremely aggressive" with Jacob reportedly hitting him in the face, a Cumberland County criminal complaint stated. Brook claimed Serbeck's truck was smashed up with a metal baseball bat and that when he tried to stop Jacob, the teen cracked him with it. As the alleged attack continued, Brook looked on as her dad was beaten down to his knee before Hannah reportedly joined in with a "large metal flashlight." Serbeck was struck"several times" in the back of the head, court documents claimed. Brook was also allegedly "struck in the head" by Jacob during the brawl. Both Hannah and Jacob are alleged to have approached them armed this time with a hammer after she managed to get her dad away from the pair and back to the truck where he struggled to breath. Serbeck collapsed and officers were alerted and attempted to revive him after they arrived. Serbeck was declared dead while he was being transported to a nearby hospital, as reported by the New York Post. The Hannah family has challenged the narrative, claiming Brooke's injuries came as a result of drunken behaviour and had lied to her dad about what had happened. They claim Serbeck threw the first punch at Jacob. Brooke was reportedly thrown out during her visit at the family's home but showed up the following day with her dad. The Hannah family has claimed Jacob grabbed a bat to defend himself while Serbeck used a pipe as they swung at one another. A 14-year-old girl reportedly filmed most of the brawl and gave footage to police, although prosecutors have cited it as evidence of homicide charges in their criminal complaint. Serbeck's brother, Christopher is attempting to understand how the incident could have escalated and added the death had sent shockwaves through the family. "To have someone you've known your whole life kill you, it just don't add up,' Christopher said. "And to know my brother, if somebody came out of the door in a threatening manner, they never would have made it past his left hand. "I've seen him fight five guys at the same time and never have a problem. There's something that wasn't right about that day." Serbeck's friends have praised him for being a devoted father, adding his two daughters and two grandchildren "were everything to him." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Dad 'savagely beaten to death by friend' as he tried to defend daughter
Louis Serbeck, who was praised as being a devoted father and grandfather, died after he was allegedly savagely beaten by his friend since high school and the pal's son A father was allegedly beaten to death by a long-time friend and his son after he confronted them as he tried to defend his daughter. Louis Serbeck, 54, was killed on Easter Sunday after he and his daughter Brooke, 19, went to the Vineland area of New Jersey to the home of Eric Hannah, 55, and his son Jacob, 17. Serbecks' daughter claimed the pair had left her with black eyes and that she was beaten up after spending the night there. The dad had intended to speak with his friend since high school Hannah, but allegedly found the situation became "extremely aggressive" with Jacob reportedly hitting him in the face, a Cumberland County criminal complaint stated. Brook claimed Serbeck's truck was smashed up with a metal baseball bat and that when he tried to stop Jacob, the teen cracked him with it. The alleged attack continued, with Brook looking on as her dad was beaten down to his knee before Hannah reportedly joined in with a "large metal flashlight." Court documents claimed Serbeck was struck "several times" in the back of the head. Brook was also allegedly "struck in the head" by Jacob during the brawl. She did manage to get her dad away from the pair and back to the truck where he struggled to breath before both Hannah and Jacob are alleged to have approached them armed this time with a hammer. But Serbeck collapsed and officers were alerted and attempted to revive him after they arrived. Serbeck was declared dead while he was being transported to a nearby hospital, as reported by the New York Post. The Hannah family has challenged the narrative, claiming Brooke's injuries came as a result of drunken behaviour and had lied to her dad about what had happened. They claim Serbeck threw the first punch at Jacob. Brooke was reportedly thrown out during her visit at the family's home but showed up the following day with her dad. The Hannah family has claimed Jacob grabbed a bat to defend himself while Serbeck used a pipe as they swung at one another. A 14-year-old girl reportedly filmed most of the brawl and gave footage to police, although prosecutors have cited it as evidence of homicide charges in their criminal complaint. Serbeck's brother, Christopher is attempting to understand how the incident could have escalated and added the death had sent shockwaves through the family. "To have someone you've known your whole life kill you, it just don't add up,' Christopher said. "And to know my brother, if somebody came out of the door in a threatening manner, they never would have made it past his left hand. "I've seen him fight five guys at the same time and never have a problem. There's something that wasn't right about that day." Serbeck's friends have praised him for being a devoted father, adding his two daughters and two grandchildren "were everything to him." Hannah faces homicide charges and was taken to the Cumberland County Jail. Jacob was taken to a juvenile facility and it is being determined whether he should be charged as an adult.
News.com.au
03-05-2025
- News.com.au
Protective dad bashed to death defending daughter
A New Jersey father was savagely beaten to death by a lifelong buddy and his son after he confronted the pair for allegedly battering his teenage daughter, according to cops and family members. Louis 'Gus' Serbeck, 54, was killed on Easter Sunday after he and his 19-year-old daughter Brooke went to the Vineland-area home of Eric Hannah, 55, and son Jacob, 17. Brooke claimed they had left her with two black eyes after beating her up when she spent the night there, the Serbeck family told The Post. Serbeck intended to speak to the elder Hannah – Serbeck's friend since high school – about the situation, but when the front door opened the 'extremely aggressive' teen allegedly socked him in the face, a Cumberland County criminal complaint alleges. The teen then started destroying Serbeck's pick-up truck with a metal baseball bat – smashing a window — and when Serbeck tried to stop it the boy allegedly turned the bat on him. As his daughter looked on in horror, Serbeck was beaten to his knees and then Hannah joined the fray with a 'large metal flashlight' – bashing his pal 'several times' in the back of the head, according to court docs. Brooke was even 'struck in the head' during the fight, allegedly by the teen accused of assaulting her the day before, prosecutors said. She managed to separate her father from the others and help him stagger back to his truck, and when he slumped against it barely able to breathe Hannah and his son allegedly advanced again — this time with a hammer – before Serbeck finally collapsed. Cops were called to the scene and attempted to revive Serbeck, but he was declared dead on the way to a hospital, authorities said. But the Hannah family tells a vastly different side of things – claiming that Brooke's bruises came from her own drunken antics, and that when she lied to her father about what happened he threw the first punch at the teen boy. 'This all started on Saturday at 3am in the morning,' said 14-year-old Alana Hannah, who said Brooke was hanging at their house with friends that night. When the family tried to throw her out, Alana said Brooke started shoving people and pulling hair. 'So I punched her in the face,' Alana said, laying claim to the black eyes. 'I honestly wouldn't have punched her if she didn't grab my hair, but she grabbed my hair, so I punched her.' Brooke was eventually thrown out, Alana said, but the next day she showed up with her furious dad – who she said threw the first punch. From there it devolved, Alana said, with her brother grabbing a bat to defend himself while Serbeck went for a length of pipe, the Hannah family claimed. The two circled and swung at each other in the yard – with Brooke even jumping in and pulling more hair, Alana added. But at no point did anybody clobber Gus over the head with a bat or a flashlight, Alana claimed – insisting that everybody thought he was having a heart attack when he collapsed. 'It makes me feel almost sick,' Alana said. 'It just feels unreal because I was there, and I just think that it's horrible that one person can lie about something and now this whole story is out there, just because one person said something.' The girl said she even filmed most of the fight and gave the footage to police – which prosecutors cited as evidence of the homicide charges in their criminal complaint. Serbeck's younger brother, Christopher, is still trying to understand what happened – and said Serbeck's death has left a huge hole in his family. 'To have someone you've known your whole life kill you, it just don't add up,' Christopher said, explaining that Serbeck and Hannah regularly worked on boats and dirt bikes together. 'And to know my brother, if somebody came out of the door in a threatening manner, they never would have made it past his left hand,' Christopher added, insisting that the Hannahs started the fight. 'I've seen him fight five guys at the same time and never have a problem. There's something that wasn't right about that day.' Friends of Serbeck — described in his obit as a skilled carpenter and enthusiastic flat-Earth conspiracy theorist and an 'invincible' family man known for his 'mythic' personality – were stunned by what happened, but not surprised that he fought to the death for his family. 'That was his baby girl. His kids were everything to him. He wasn't looking for a fight. He just wanted to know what happened to his daughter,' Christopher said. Serbeck was a father of two daughters, and grandfather to two boys whom he spoiled endlessly, the family said. 'Gus would be anywhere, Home Depot, Walmart, the flea market, and he'd see something he had to buy for his grandsons. He enjoyed nothing more than spoiling those boys,' his obituary read. 'Gus' daughters and grandsons were his pride and joy. Bigger than the Legend that is Gus; they are the cornerstone of his legacy,' it added. Hannah was booked into the Cumberland County Jail, and faces homicide charges. His son was taken to a juvenile facility, and prosecutors are still determining whether he will be charged as an adult.
New York Post
02-05-2025
- New York Post
NJ father beaten to death defending daughter remembered as ‘invincible man' and fun-loving flat-Earther: ‘The man, the myth, the legend'
The New Jersey father beaten to death while confronting a friend's son accused of assaulting his daughter was an 'invincible man' with a 'larger-than-life' personality — and also a flat-Earther who loved conspiracy theories, practical jokes and President Trump, according to a glowing obituary. 'THE MAN – THE MYTH – THE LEGEND,' opens the commemoration of 54-year-old Louis 'Gus' Serbeck, who was killed allegedly at the hands of a 'lifelong friend' and his teenage son during a vicious brawl on Easter Sunday. 'There are many stories of Gus throughout our area; as with every Legend, the stories take a life of their own, they become myths, and those myths define the Legend,' the obit read. 'The instant you met Gus, your life changed forever; you knew from that moment on you had someone in your corner no matter what. Gus didn't have typical friends; every friend was a 'best friend.'' 3 Louis 'Gus' Serbeck, 54, died on Easter Sunday. Rone funeral service A father of two daughters and grandfather to two boys, Serbeck was remembered as a devoted family man who 'believed in things with a total conviction,' and 'a hero to many' for always speaking his mind. He was also an expert handyman who 'could do anything with his hands,' and excelled as a roofer and carpenter. And chief among his passions was having a good time — no matter how eccentric some of his hobbies could seem to an outsider. 'Gus was always the life of the party. He was always the center of attention at any gathering, and was sure to deliver up loads of laughs with his many antics. He loved walking behind all the family's children and putting ice down their back or a cold beer on their neck,' the obituary read. 'He also loved conspiracy theories, sky watching and recording for aliens and drones. Gus had many alternative theories about life. One of which is the flat earth theory. No matter what it was, he did vast research on the subject to support his view point. He also loved Donald Trump.' 'Gus didn't just believe things because that's what he was told to do. He believed in things with a total conviction, because he researched it. That was just Gus, never a follower, always a leader,' it continued. But most of all, Serbeck was remembered as a family man who would put everything on the line for his people — something that he apparently did on April 20 after he went to the Vineland home of his high school friend Eric Hannah, 55, and confronted his 17-year-old son over claims the boy had assaulted his daughter Brooke the day before. 3 Serbeck was devoted to his two daughters and two young grandsons. Gofundme That confrontation quickly descended into an all-out brawl — and ended with Hannah and his son allegedly beating Serbeck in the head with a metal baseball bat and flashlight until he collapsed, Cumberland County prosecutors say. Serbeck died soon after, on the way to a hospital. But Hannah's family claims Eric and his son never touched Serbeck's head — and that while they did brawl with a bat and metal pipe, Serbeck threw the first punch. 'Gus didn't have no bruises on him at all, whatsoever,' Hannah's 14-year-old daughter Alana told The Post. 'From what I could tell, he looked fine. I mean, [my brother] was obviously hitting him, but not as hard as I feel like Gus was hitting my brother, because my brother was all bloody.' After the brawl died down, Alana said she watched Gus stagger to his car, struggling for breath before he collapsed — and that everyone thought he'd suffered a heart attack. 3 Eric Hannah, 55, faces homicide charges after he allegedly beat Serbeck to death in his yard on Easter Sunday. Cumberland County DOC Serbeck's family was also baffled by what happened — especially that he could have been overpowered in a fight. 'He would have picked him up by the throat,' Serbeck's younger brother Christopher said. 'I've seen him fight five guys at the same time and never have a problem. There's something that wasn't right about that day that he left his back open.' 'It doesn't make sense. The whole thing doesn't make sense. So many weird things happened,' he added. Whatever happened, Serbeck's family says he died defending what he loved best. 'The story of his death is just one more myth that will define his Legendary life. He laid his life down to do what he does best, to protect his family; to protect his baby girl,' the obituary read. 'Gus' life was one of strength, resilience, unshakable values, protection, service and love. He will be missed by many… Long live the Legend …' it concluded. Hannah was arrested and faces charges for homicide. His son was taken to a juvenile facility while prosecutors decide whether he will face charges.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
He Confronted the Boy Who Allegedly Assaulted His Daughter. The Boy Then Beat Him to Death With a Bat, Prosecutors Say
A New Jersey man died on Easter Sunday after being beaten to death with a bat, according to local authorities. Louis Serbeck, 54, died while being taken to the hospital after a fatal confrontation during which his teenage daughter was also assaulted, according to the Columbia County Prosecutor. Police have now arrested 55-year-old Eric Hannah and an unnamed 17-year-old boy on charges of homicide and weapons offenses, according to a news release from the prosecutor's office. The minor male, identified only as J.H. by prosecutors, is also facing an additional charge of aggravated assault. The confrontation stemmed from an incident that occurred one day earlier, when the minor male allegedly assaulted Serbeck's daughter, who is not named by prosecutors. In the wake of that incident, Serbeck and his daughter went to speak with Hannah on April 20, according to the release. The male teen met Serbeck at the door, and the release states that at some point the exchange between the two turned physical. "J.H. is alleged to have struck Serbeck in the head several times with a metal baseball bat," the release states. "It is further alleged that [Hannah], who was present and joined the fight, struck Serbeck in the back of the head with a metal flashlight." The release notes that J.H. "suffered facial injuries," and that he also struck Serbeck's daughter in the head with a bat. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Officers with the Vineland Police Department soon arrived on the scene along with emergency medical service workers. After assessing Serbeck's injuries, EMS rushed him to the local hospital in Vineland, where he would receive a medical evacuation to Cooper Hospital in Camden, located approximately 40 miles north. However, Serbeck died en route, according to the release. A GoFundMe created in hopes of helping Serbeck's two surviving daughters pay for his funeral services has already exceeded its initial goal of $10,000. The creator of that fundraiser describes Serbeck as the "bravest, caring, outgoing, warmhearted, funny, and most protective men to be known." Read the original article on People
