Friends and family of Synamin Bell demand her killer receive tough sentence after plea deal

Young mum Synamin Bell was brutally bashed to death by her partner while he was in a drug “psychosis”. Now her devastated family has paid tribute to the “vibrant soul”.

Kimmi Smith and Shen Bell with a photo of Synamin Bell, who was killed by Cody Edwards. Picture: Frank Monger

A man who brutally bashed to death a loving mother doesn’t deserve to escape with a lighter penalty just because he changed his plea midway through the trial, a grieving family says.

Friends and family of Synamin Bell, 26, were shocked earlier this month when Cody Edwards, 27, abruptly pleaded guilty to manslaughter a week into his murder trial for allegedly murdering the mother of three young children at their Millicent home while under the influence of a rare psychotic drug.

Ms Bell’s family said Edwards’ guilty plea to manslaughter – which does not carry a minimum 20-year sentence like murder – could allow the killer to get off “with a slap on the wrist”.

They also fear his claim of being under a drug “psychosis” led to the plea deal – which they called a “joke” after it was revealed in court.

Synamin Bell was killed in her home by Code Edwards. Picture provided by family

Ms Bell’s younger sister Shen, 24, said the outcome of Synamin’s trial “was not only dangerous for women but for everyone”.

She feared offenders could use being under the influence of drugs as an excuse to “control” the legal system.

“The lack of evidence that was laid and the amount of control that drugs and the people that consume them have needs to end,” she said.

“It sets an extremely dangerous precedent for all of Australia, we need to push for change.”

Their plea for justice comes as SAPOL statistics released this week show a 13 per cent rise in domestic violence incidents in the past year.

During the trial, the court heard Edwards was in the thralls of a drug-induced psychosis and acting in “self-defence” when he killed Ms Bell, believing she intended to kill him.

She was bashed to death with a baseball bat and metal pole and stabbed multiple times in the back after she died.

Under SA law, murder carries a mandatory life sentence – or at least 20 years in jail – while manslaughter has a maximum life sentence.

Kimmi Smith and Shen Bell with a photo of Synamin Bell. Picture: Frank Monger

Two years on from her tragic death, Shen said she was unable to describe the hole Synamin’s absence had left within their family.

“Synamin was an amazing mother and woman, she was the most bubbly, vibrant soul I will ever meet.

“Her children have gone through so many events and milestones without their mummy and this is only the beginning of their lives.”

Ms Bell’s friend Kimmi Smith, 30, said they weren’t debating whether drug psychosis was “real” or not – but to wanted people who chose to intoxicate themselves and then harmed others to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

“Everyone knows drugs and other substances can alter your perception of reality and make you think and behave in ways you usually wouldn’t but it shouldn’t be reason for someone to get off lightly for committing a crime,” she said.

Kimmi Smith and Shen Bell looking at a photo of their close friend and sister Synamin Bell. Picture: Frank Monger

Ms Smith said Synamin was both her – and everyone’s – biggest cheerleader, describing her as “the happiest person alive”.

She said the pair first met when Synamin was “a friendly regular” at her work, with her caring nature and compassion for others forging a strong bond between the two.

“One time I got really sick and had to miss like six weeks while I was in hospital. When I came back Syn obviously didn’t know where’d I’d been, she only knew my first name, but she’d been so worried about me,” Ms Smith said.

“She told me off like she was my mum,” she laughed. “She was just like, ‘where were you, are you OK, where have you been, give me your number’ – and we just became amazing friends after that.

“She was just such a loving person, she loved everyone and everything, the happiest and most positive person you’d ever meet.”

Synamin Bell is remembered by her friends and family as a loving, happy and bubbly person who would go above and beyond for anyone. Picture: Supplied.

Shen said her sister “deserved justice”.

Killer Cody James Edwards. Picture: Facebook

“We can’t be quiet anymore,” she said. “No one should go through what our family and so many others have experienced, people need to feel safe.

“Her children deserve to know the person that took their mum and chose to end her life didn’t get off with a slap on the wrist – that her life meant more than some drug.”

The family believe a loophole in the law needs to be changed and have launched a petition.

A spokesperson for the Attorney-General’s department extended their condolences to the Bell family.

“We can only imagine the anguish and trauma felt by Synamin Bell’s loved ones, especially given the events of the past week.

“Given the accused is yet to be sentenced, we are not in a position to comment specifically on this case.

“It remains the case that murder and manslaughter are considered among the most serious criminal offences a person can be charged with.”