Celebrating 25 Years of Compassion in Action and Driving Change for the Better
This year marked a truly special milestone as the Murdered Abroad family gathered at the University of Northampton for our 10th Annual Wellbeing Conference while celebrating the charity's 25th Anniversary.
For a quarter of a century, Murdered Abroad has stood beside families whose lives have been forever changed by the murder of a loved one overseas. This anniversary was not only an opportunity to reflect on everything we have achieved together, but also to look ahead with renewed determination to create lasting change for families in the future.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Always A Chance, whose continued sponsorship once again made this important event possible. Founded in memory of James Kouzaris and James Cooper, the charity embodies hope in the face of unimaginable tragedy. During the weekend, Pete Kouzaris shared the touching story behind the name of Always a Chance. Whenever Pete or Hazel asked James to do something, his familiar response was, "There's always a chance!" Those simple words have become a powerful reminder of resilience, optimism and determination - values that continue to inspire our work every day. We remain deeply grateful for their unwavering support and they always go the extra mile, with Hazel arranging flowers for the tables, sweet treats and wellbeing gifts!
The weekend began with our traditional Friday evening social gathering, giving members the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, welcome new families and spend time together in a relaxed and supportive environment. These informal moments are often where lasting friendships begin. They remind every family that, although their journeys are unique, they are never alone.
Looking Back – and Looking Forward
Saturday's conference opened in the Leathersellers' Hide, where our Chair, Eve, reflected on the progress made since our Gloucester meeting and discussed the findings of the Nottingham Attacks Inquiry. She spoke passionately about the need for transparency within the justice system and highlighted the life-changing importance of peer support - something recognised not only within Murdered Abroad but also by the Inquiry itself.
Eve also updated members on recent political developments, including the resignation of Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones MP and the appointment of the new Victims Minister Catherine Atkinson MP for Derby North. While governments and ministers may change, our mission remains constant: to ensure that families bereaved by murder abroad receive the recognition, support and justice they deserve.
Throughout the morning, members courageously shared their personal experiences, the obstacles they continue to face, the small but meaningful victories they have achieved, and the lessons they have learned along the way. We were delighted to welcome two new families into the Murdered Abroad community, while Miles Manning, our Police Adviser and Dave Johnston QPM our Patron offered valuable insight, encouragement and practical guidance.
Continuing to Influence Parliament
We were once again honoured to welcome Joshua Reynolds MP for Maidenhead, whose commitment to Murdered Abroad continues to grow.
Joshua spoke openly about his disappointment that the Government did not support amendments to the Victims Bill that would have strengthened support for families bereaved by murder overseas. Despite this setback, he remains optimistic that meaningful progress can still be achieved via the Ministry of Justice's New Victims Code Consultation that also has support for Murdered Abroad by the Victims Commissioner, Claire Waxman OBE.
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Murdered Abroad throughout his time in Parliament and agreed to investigate the budget for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's Murder and Manslaughter Team, explore the limitations of the current twelve-session counselling provision provided by Victim Support's Homicide Service funded by the Ministry of Justice, and raise concerns regarding information available for bereaved families on the Victim Support website.
In a welcome surprise, Joshua suggested sponsoring a Parliamentary Reception to celebrate Murdered Abroad's 25th Anniversary. This exciting opportunity, which we hope will take place later this year, will enable us to engage Members of Parliament, showcase the charity's work and continue building support for meaningful reform.
Members asked thoughtful questions throughout the session, discussing the many challenges they continue to face when dealing with government departments and overseas authorities. We remain enormously grateful to Joshua for his continued support, his openness and his determination to ensure our members' voices are heard within Parliament.
We certainly worked up an appetite and enjoyed a delicious hot lunch, giving us all the opportunity to speak with advisors and guests. The University always makes us feel very welcome and we are always grateful to Tracy Brockton (Events Co-ordinator) and her team.
Research Reinforces the Need for Change
Following lunch, Alyssa presented the findings of her 2025 research, Who Cares for the Families?, together with its accompanying Impact Report.
Her work provided powerful evidence of what our members have experienced for many years.
Over the past 25 years, Murdered Abroad has supported more than 350 families. The research highlighted a recurring theme: support from government departments and agencies remains consistently inconsistent. Families continue to navigate complex systems at a time of profound grief, often facing unnecessary barriers when they most need compassion, information and practical support.
The report reinforced something we have always known - peer support changes lives. Time and again, members described how connecting with others who truly understand their experiences has given them strength, reassurance and hope during the darkest moments of their lives.
Looking to the Future
As Murdered Abroad enters its next chapter, we are committed to finding new and innovative ways to support families.
Lehanne presented an exciting proposal outlining plans to develop a series of podcasts and educational videos for the charity's website. These resources will enable families to access trusted information, hear from experts and members, and receive guidance whenever they need it.
We are delighted that former BBC journalist Simon Hare and Guy Fithen have agreed to help develop the project, while many members generously offered their own time and expertise. This is an exciting new venture for the charity and we are very much at the beginning of the journey. If you would like to become involved, whether by sharing your experience, appearing in a podcast or offering professional skills, we would love to hear from you.
Innovation continued with an inspiring presentation from Andrew Bernard, who introduced his vision for an Artificial Intelligence application integrated into the Murdered Abroad website. Designed as a trusted digital resource, the app has the potential to provide families with reliable information, practical guidance and immediate support whenever they need it. Although still in its early stages, the project demonstrates our commitment to embracing new technology to better serve our members. We are immensely grateful to Andrew for his creativity, ingenuity and foresight.
Celebrating 25 Years of Achievement
To mark our Silver Anniversary, Bren took members on a journey through the history of Murdered Abroad, reflecting on the charity's remarkable evolution over the past 25 years.
From establishing a simple telephone helpline to becoming a respected national advocate for families bereaved by a homicide overseas, the charity has provided practical guidance and emotional support for cases spanning almost five decades - from 1979 through to 2026.
Plans are now underway to transform this history, together with our impact report, into a commemorative booklet for the proposed Parliamentary Reception. It will celebrate our achievements while clearly demonstrating why further change is still so urgently needed.
If you have experience in graphic design, publishing or creative communications, we would love to hear from you. This represents an important opportunity to showcase the charity's work and help us make a lasting impression within Parliament.
Raising Awareness
Miles Manning updated members on the forthcoming Murder in the Sun documentaries and the growing media interest surrounding many of our members' cases.
With the documentaries expected to attract significant public attention, Miles spoke about the importance of presenting a united voice and making the most of every opportunity to raise awareness of the issues families bereaved by a homicide abroad continue to face. Members warmly agreed to support future media enquiries and work together to maximise the impact of this important exposure.
The day then drew to an emotional close as Maggie Millin read her moving piece, Not So Sweet Sixteen, written after returning to work following the murder of her son. Maggie's beautifully written reflections resonated deeply throughout the room, capturing emotions that so many families recognised within their own journeys.
We were also delighted to welcome Jonathan Dixey, an experienced Barrister with 5 Essex Chambers and a part time Coroner. Jonathan is a long-standing supporter of Murdered Abroad who has assisted families with complex Inquests in Coroners' Courts. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of the coronial system, Jonathan answered members' questions with compassion and clarity while reaffirming the important role the charity continues to play in supporting bereaved families.
After a full and emotional day, members gathered once again at the Sunley Hotel to relax, share a buffet supper and enjoy one another's company. These evenings are often where the true magic of Murdered Abroad is found. Friendships are strengthened, new connections are formed and people discover they are surrounded by others who genuinely understand their journey.
Sunday – Reflection, Creativity and Hope
Sunday brought the conference to a gentle close, reminding us that Murdered Abroad is much more than a charity - it is a family.
We were delighted to welcome back Dr Liam Brolan, criminologist and long-standing supporter of Murdered Abroad, together with the Brolan family.
Liam's doctoral research, Making Sense of Murders Abroad, was shaped by interviews with many of our members, giving bereaved families the opportunity to share their experiences and help inform future understanding of the challenges faced after a murder overseas.
Drawing on his research, Liam reflected on the common themes that continue to affect families regardless of where in the world their loved one was killed. Language barriers, unfamiliar legal systems, repatriation difficulties, lengthy delays, limited access to information and navigating overseas justice systems all featured prominently. Above all, Liam highlighted the often exhausting battles families experience when seeking support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
His research reinforces what our members have long known - that meaningful improvements in government support are urgently needed. Liam also recognised the unwavering commitment of our Chair, Eve, and the extraordinary strength that comes from peer support.
(Liam's doctoral thesis, Making Sense of Murders Abroad, can be accessed here.)
Making Sense of Murder Abroad: Exploring the Post-Homicide
The morning also brought smiles as Liam's partner Alise led a fun balloon flower workshop. Laughter echoed around the room as members attempted to master the art of balloon modelling - some with greater success than others! It was a joyful reminder that even after the most difficult journeys, there is still room for laughter, creativity and moments of happiness.
Our conference concluded with one of the most treasured traditions of the weekend.
Celebrant Chrissie Brolan led a beautiful Service of Reflection and Remembrance, creating a space for families to honour the lives of those they have lost while recognising the strength they have found together.
Chrissie has a remarkable gift for finding exactly the right words. Drawing upon the experiences of our members with warmth, compassion and understanding, she created a service that was both comforting and uplifting. Her reflections reminded us why Murdered Abroad exists - not simply to campaign for change, but to walk beside every family with kindness, empathy and hope.
As Chrissie so beautifully described it, Murdered Abroad is "Compassion in Action."
Those three words perfectly capture the spirit of our charity.
As we celebrate 25 years of supporting families bereaved by murder overseas, we are immensely proud of what has been achieved together. From a small telephone helpline to a nationally recognised charity supporting more than 350 families, our journey has been driven by the courage of our members, the dedication of our volunteers and trustees, and the generosity of those who continue to stand beside us.
Yet our work is far from finished.
Every family deserves compassion.
Every family deserves justice.
Every family deserves to be heard.
Together, we will continue to support one another, challenge injustice, embrace innovation and campaign tirelessly for Change for the Better.
Because no family should ever have to walk this journey alone.
