Murdered Abroad exists especially for people in the UK whose loved ones are the victims of murder or manslaughter overseas.

Ask any family that has been bereaved by murder, and they will tell you that it is simply the worst possible experience in life. Could there actually be anything worse? Anything more devastating ?

Well, yes, there could be.

A murder which occurs abroad causes not only exactly the same trauma, loss, feelings of grief and futility as if it had occurred here in the UK, but it brings with it the additional difficulties of distance, language, culture, time difference, cost, incomprehensible legal and judicial systems, and having to deal with unfamiliar agencies such as the Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the police in England and Wales, and the Coroner Service.

A further factor distinguishes abroad murder cases from the rest – they take much, much longer to resolve. Five years is not at all unusual, and in many cases, it can be a lot longer.

On average, every week, of every year, more than one British citizen is murdered abroad. Some will have been on holiday, travelling, or working abroad; others will have been ex-pats. The truth is, this kind of tragedy can happen to anyone, from any background, in any circumstance.

The ripple effect of any murder is huge, but the effect of a murder abroad transcends international boundaries. Back in Britain, there are bereaved families facing a long and difficult journey with no knowledge of what to do next, at a time when they are severely traumatised.

Since Murdered Abroad was established 24 years ago (originally called Support After Murder & Manslaughter Abroad), it has supported and guided more than 350 of those families. The charity is run by four Trustees, all of whom have lived experience, having been bereaved by homicide abroad in Australia, Belgium, France, Greece and St. Martin.

Murdered Abroad provides expertise; systemic memory; a comprehensive understanding and a 24/7 approach to peer support – at no cost to its users.

Following a murder, there are immediate decisions to be made such as dealing with repatriation if a family chooses to bring their loved one's body home and whether it will be necessary to employ a lawyer in the foreign country where the crime occurred. Via the helpline, email, website and peer support meetings, Murdered Abroad is able to explain what can and cannot be done here in Great Britain and help families navigate the policies of statutory agencies.

Murdered Abroad has assisted families to find pro-bono help for mandatory inquests if the family repatriates their loved one's body and enlisted assistance from retired Detectives to give a professional opinion on what more they feel can be done to pursue justice (an aim shared by most families).  

A key service provided by Murdered Abroad is peer support. Bereaved families can attend four regional meetings a year which provide a chance for them to talk to each other about their cases and share their experience in a non-judgemental safe space. They will be in a room full of people who truly understand what they are going through and they no longer feel alone.

Key achievements 2001-2021