Our Trustees

Eve Henderson

Co-Founder, Director, Trustee

My husband of 32 years, Roderick Henderson, was killed in France in 1997 when my family went to Paris for the weekend to celebrate his birthday.

My son and son-in-law were also attacked in the street by the gang of youths. Roderick’s death and the aftermath of a failed police investigation – no-one was ever caught for the crime – was traumatic for all of us. It was truly shocking to be left on my own to deal with the problems of language, culture and a foreign judicial process and I was even more shocked that there was no clear policy or procedure in place here in the UK to assist my family. Nine months after Roderick’s death, the Coroner returned an Unlawful Killing verdict and for the statutory agencies here in the UK, that was the end of the matter. However, with the help of pro-bono lawyers, we took the case to the ECHR on the basis of a negligent investigation in France but in 2015 some 18 years after Roderick's death, this action also failed.

Along this difficult road, my family and I amassed a wealth of knowledge that can hopefully be used to help others in a similar situation.

Alyssa Davies

Director, Trustee

My Sister Vanessa Arscott aged 23 and her boyfriend were both murdered in Thailand in 2004.  They were viciously attacked by a Thai national who also happed to be a policeman as they walked back to their accommodation after an evening out.  The perpetrator was apprehended after a period on the run hiding in the jungle of Myanmar and sentenced to the death penalty.  During the course of appeal this sentencing was reduced to life and after several Royal decrees eventually he served just 10 years in prison.

In the years since my sister’s death, I have received immeasurable support from the members of the charity Murdered Abroad, repeated pulling me back from the brink of despair with their kind, measured and knowledgeable guidance.

Grief has no timeline; it is a continuum that those who have lost in this manner, must travel back and forth for eternity.  Some days there are unexpected waves of sadness whilst others fill you with gratitude for the time you shared together.

The best way to honor my sister is to help those that are unfortunate enough to follow me, to manage their continuum as best they can.  

Brian Chandler

Treasurer, Director, Trustee

Our grandson, Liam Hogan, was killed by his father pushing him off a fourth floor hotel balcony in Crete in 2006, along with his sister, Mia, who fortunately survived.

His father was cleared of murder by a Greek court who did not call any eye witnesses. Nevertheless, the UK Coroner recorded a verdict of "unlawful killing", after a proper inquest nearly five years later.

Bren McLaughlin

My brother, Howard Lister (aged 38) was murdered in his own home in Perth, Australia, in September 1999 and buried in a pine plantation.

All three perpetrators blamed each other for causing his death, so were tried on a joint enterprise ruling that they were all involved.  
 
They were found guilty of wilful murder and sentenced to 17 years each. One of the perpetrators obtained an appeal and had his sentence cut to 11 years for murder. He was released after serving 13 years in prison. The second perpetrator was released on parole in November 2016. The third perpetrator was released from prison in 2024.