Murray the South East skeleton left for dead after vandals take sledgehammer to icon

The roadside icon has already died one horrific death – on the loo no less – and now he’s suffered further embarrassment after being smashed by heartless vandals.

Sticks and stones – or more likely a sledgehammer – have broken a South East roadside attractions bones, but community support has him on the mend.

Murray the South East Skeleton should have been spending his afterlife sitting on his roadside throne, but instead he’s beginning the long road to recovery after he was left for dead.

Under the cloak of darkness heartless vandals smashed Murray and his toilet on Saturday night.

Murray, whose mysterious origins are unknown, is remembered as man taken too soon during the Covid-19-fuelled toilet paper crisis of 2020.

“His situation was that bad that he didn't make it off the toilet, he’d rather die than not be able to wipe himself,” a source close to the skeleton said.

Murray the South East Skeleton should be sitting on his roadside throne between Robe and Kingston but is on bed rest after he was dismembered by vandals on Saturday night. Picture: Supplied

“He never got that toilet paper.”

In December he started a new life as a skeleton often caught with pants down on the Southern Ports Highway between Kingston and Robe.

Murray has been Santa, the Easter bunny, celebrated Australia Day and most recently the keen fisherman donned a tacky Australian shirt, finishing rod and caught a pink gumboot while raising funds for the local hospital and Royal Flying Doctor Service.

But a tragic incident on Saturday has left Murray’s dear friend – and chiropractor – to pick up the pieces.

“Someone came along, decided they wanted a bit of fun and completely shattered his toilet, left him damaged on the ground and they took the fishing rod,” the chiropractor said.

Vandals destroyed Murray the South East Skeleton on Saturday night Picture: Supplied

“It would have taken a sledgehammer to destroy it, it was a pretty solid toilet.

“It’s really disappointing, he brought joy to so many people in the community.”

After extensive emergency surgery, the prognosis is good.

Murray’s concussion is on the mend and amputated arm has been reattached but the medical team could not save all his limbs.

“He had a bit of a knock on the head, I managed to pop that out, it’s back in tact and thankfully no permanent scar,” the chiropractor said.

Murray the South East Skeleton underwent emergency surgery on Sunday night after he was viciously dismembered by vandals. Picture: Supplied

“Thankful the only permanent damage to himself was broken foot so he’s missing his toes and his right foot.”

The bony attraction is now resting up with a chicken noodle soup before embarking on a two week rehabilitation program, and is said to be in high spirits, motivated by the community's support.

“Everyone’s railed together, someone has offered him security cameras, several toilets and helped to put him back together,” Murray’s friend said.

“It shows there‘s plenty of community spirit there and it’s only the minority that of causing issues, it’s the one per cent of the population that after ruin the rest so that gives you a bit of faith.”