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Tuesday 7 January 2025
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Advocate dies CARMEL Russell (pictured left with husband Brian) died on 22 December. She became a tireless advocate for justice after her daughter Natalie was murdered in Frankston in 1993. Pictures: Supplied
Russell’s legacy lives on Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au CARMEL Russell was farewelled by mourners last week following her death aged 81 in the days before Christmas. Carmel Russell was the mother of Natalie Russell, who was killed in Frankston in 1993. Since her daughter’s death, Carmel Russell and her husband Brian have become vocal
advocates for justice. On 22 December 2024, Carmel Russell passed away surrounded by her loved ones. Her funeral was held on 2 January at St Francis Xavier Church in Frankston. Russell had six children: Lisa, Janine, Natalie, and Damien, and two step-children with her husband Brian, Darren and Jane. Darren Russell was among the speakers at last week’s funeral. He
said that his step-mother was a kind woman and an excellent judge of character. “Something that always struck me was how well Carmel could read people. It was almost supernatural she had this deep understanding of people, knew what made them tick and understood their natures phenomenally,” he said. Thanks in part to the hard work of Natalie Russell’s parents, legislation
was passed in 2023 to keep the serial killer responsible for her death locked up for life. “Carmel was very much an ordinary woman in an ordinary family,” Darren Russell said. “In more recent years, the ordinary woman from that ordinary Frankston family once again become extraordinary, helping to lead the fight to keep the killer incarcerated.” Carmel Russell was born on 23
July 1943. A statement sent out by the Russell family shortly after her passing read “Carmel had been unwell on and off for some time and had been in hospital in the lead-up to Christmas. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by those who loved her. Carmel is finally reunited with her beloved daughter Natalie who we are sure was there to greet her when the time came.” Continued page 2