Latest news with #StevenRussell
The Sun
12-07-2025
- The Sun
Mystery of Brit dad found dead in pool of blood with phone missing in Thailand as even ex-cop left baffled by case
A GRIEVING father has been left frustrated and heartbroken after his former British kickboxing champion son died in mysterious circumstances in Thailand. Offshore oil rig supervisor Steven Russell, 45, was found dead at home in Dumrongsuk Village, northeast of Bangkok, just before Christmas. 8 8 8 His father, John Russell, 76, said his family have been left without answers and are now trying to piece together how Steven died. That's because a Thai police probe, a UK coroner's inquest, and an investigation by a former cop all could not find a cause. John said he's now been left "desensitised" after having to deal with the grisly details of his son's death. He told The Sun: "From the photographs, he [Steven] was laying on a settee covered with a blanket, and the blanket was soaked in blood, on the floor was obviously dry blood. "He'd been there for at least three days." Steven's body was found after neighbours raised the alarm on December 22. They alerted the village headman and the police. Upon arrival, the house was locked from the inside, preventing entry. Rescue workers were called to get inside the house, and Steven was found lying on his back, covered with a blanket, on the sofa in the living room. Brit doctors in January were unable to confirm how he had died when his body was brought back to the UK for a formal coroner's probe. New CCTV of Brit 'mule' Bella May Culley 'smuggling £200k of cannabis' released as cops slam her claims she was coerced John said he believed it was unlikely that Steven's death had been caused by some traumatic and violent event. He said: "There was no signs of anyone breaking in. "And the autopsy said that all his organs were normal, they were healthy, there was no signs of any traumas, you know, no punctures in the skin. "All I'm saying is there's like an open verdict in my mind. I can't even, if someone asked me, 'why do you think you died', the answer is 'I don't know', and I don't know whether we'll ever know." 8 8 But, the father said that nothing could be ruled out - even poisoning. "The only thing we couldn't prove is if he'd been poisoned. "No way to prove it. Having said that, he was laying on a settee, he was covered up. "If you were in pain, would you have gotten up or would you have just laid there? Again, I don't know." The family has now been left trying to track down Steve's last moments to figure out what led up to his death. "What we're trying to do is put together everything, you know, to do with Facebook messages and everything, you know, to try and button that up. 8 8 "One of the hardest things was, I paid to have all his possessions sent back, and when I got them there was nothing there... we believe he had an iPhone, and we never got that back..." They're now trying to get access to Steven's social media accounts and speak to all his pals to see when he last messaged. Due to the condition of Steven's body, they believe he was dead for several days before being found. John said: "So obviously he died before the 22nd, probably around the 19th." Determining when Steven died could be important to trying to figure out how he died. The inquest into Steven's death was held at the Norfolk Coroner's Court in January. Dr Laszlo Igali, histopathologist, said the medical cause of death could not be ascertained, according to Norwich Evening News. A hearing in June again gave an open verdict on the cause of his death. John slammed Thai cops who had been unhelpful in every aspect of Steven's death. "I got a message on Messenger on the 22nd of December, saying, 'sorry for your loss.' And I wrote back and said, 'what do you mean?' "And the person came back and said, 'didn't you know Stephen died?' And that's how I found out." The grandfather has also paid tribute to his son, saying he was an incredibly determined person. "His ambition was to live in Thailand and work wherever." Steven had settled in Thailand in 2022, but had lived there on and off for a number of years leaving for extended periods of time to work on oil rigs. Steven had also been a champion kickboxer, winning the English and British WKU titles in the early 2000s. He turned pro and fought seven bouts with a record of one win, one draw, and five losses across the space of two years.
Time Out
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
REVEALED: New public art installations for the $836-million Sydney Fish Market
Anticipation for the new and improved Sydney Fish Market has been building up ever since the site's multi-million-dollar makeover was green-lit in 2020, and while it has not all been smooth sailing, the mission to transform it into the largest fish market in the Southern Hemisphere is forging on full speed ahead. However, the development is not only looking towards the future, but also paying tribute to the past. A series of art installations have been commissioned for the new precinct, which will honour Blackwattle Bay's First Nations and maritime histories. Visitors to the new Sydney Fish Market will be able to learn about the history of the area through five permanent installations that celebrate the site as a community gathering place. The first three sculptures were revealed today, each created by Aboriginal Australian artists who have designed works which pay respect to the continued presence of local Aboriginal people, and reference traditional cultural practices of the First Nations communities connected to the new Sydney Fish Market site. Grouped under the title Saltwater People Stories, the three installations include 'The Nawi', a depiction of a traditional nawi (fishing canoe) by Bidjigal elder Uncle Steven Russell; 'Birrang Narrami (Star Net)', a traditional woven fishing net by Wiradjuri, Yuin and Gadigal multi-disciplinary artist and master weaver Nadeena Dixon; and 'The Call of Ngura (Country)', with eel-like forms representing the Dreamtime journey of the great Creator Gurangady, by Buruberong and Wumali (Dharug) creative Leanne Tobin. The sculptures, cast in bronze at the North Head Foundry in Manly, will be installed on the eastern and western promenades of the new Sydney Fish Market later this year. Two further installations will sit on the eastern promenade – an interactive water play area for families, and an installation paying homage to the site's industrial history as a working harbour. Placemaking NSW will also host a curated arts and cultural program featuring dance and music. This will take place in the public domain throughout 2026, featuring local artists. First Nations Contemporary Artist, Leanne Tobin said: 'As a First Nations artist, I'm excited to see our culture represented and visibly acknowledged as part of the new Sydney Fish Market. This project is more than a world-class building and fish market. It is an opportunity for us to educate and inform visitors here by weaving our stories and culture into the precinct. 'These installations allow us a way to share our cultural stories and highlight our deep and ancient connection to this land while also creating a shared experience that reflects our heritage for all to enjoy.' Sydney Fish Market is due to house 38 tenants (you'll find a few of the big name venues revealed here), with more than 26,000 square meters of retail, dining and community space across three levels. The new Sydney Fish Market site is slated to open sometime in 2025, the exact date is yet to be confirmed. In the meantime, the current Sydney Fish Market site will continue to remain fully operational.
