Synamin Bell’s family tells court killer Cody Edwards deserves harshest possible punishment

When a drugged man brutally bashed a young mum to death in her own bedroom, it ripped her three children’s lives apart, a court has heard.

The young children of a loving mother brutally bashed to death in her home didn’t even know what death was when she was killed, and still say “I love you mummy” aloud every day, a court has heard.

The family and friends of Synamin Bell, 26, who was beaten to death in the bedroom of her Millicent home in 2022, on Thursday begged a judge to impose the harshest sentence possible on the man who took her from her three young children.

Cody James Edwards, 27 had pleaded not guilty to murder but shocked Ms Bell’s family when he pleaded guilty to manslaughter - causing the murder charge to be withdrawn- midway through his trial in June, saying he was in a drug psychosis when he viciously attacked Ms Bell.

In Mount Gambier Courthouse on Thursday, Justice Adam Kimber heard emotional victim impact statements from Ms Bell’s mother, sister, and close friend who implored he didn’t let Me Bell’s killer “get off easy”.

Synamin Bell is remembered by those who knew her as an incredibly caring, nurturing and supportive mother, friend, sibling and daughter. Picture: Supplied

Killer Cody James Edwards. Picture: Facebook

Ms Bell’s mother Rosemary’s statement – read aloud in court by the prosecutor said her daughter’s “little children” – aged three, four and six at the time – didn’t even understand what death was when their mother was taken from them.

“(It was) heartbreaking having to explain to them their mother was never coming back. Their little hearts were broken.

“The now eight-year-old son wakes up at night crying because he is forgetting what his mum’s voice sounds like. The now six-year-old daughter won’t look at herself in the mirror because everyone tells her she looks like her mummy and seeing herself and not her mum hurts her way too much. The youngest one goes to her mummy’s photo every day and tells her about how school was.”

She said the children still said “I love you mummy” aloud whenever they can.

“Synamin was an enormous member of our family. She had an infectious laugh, always worried about everyone, and was the first person to be at our doors when things were upsetting any of us.

“The children will face many challenges as they grow up without their mummy. No matter what we do we can’t take away their loss.

“They have received a life sentence of loss and grief and have been stripped of having the most important person in their lives but (the man who did that) will walk free in a few years, how does that make sense?”

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

Ms Bell’s sister Brenda told the court through her statement - also read by the prosecutor - that thoughts of her sister’s last moments still haunt her – breaking her heart over and over again.

“My sister’s death was not just a tragic event, but a gruesome act that has left our family with lifelong trauma,” her statement said.

“Synamin didn’t deserve what happened to her, her death was inhumane, the violence inflicted on her cannot be downplayed.”

Brenda said the downgrading of charges from murder to manslaughter should not lessen the brutality of her sister’s death.

“I’ll never heal from this wound and I refuse to,” she said. “The pain and grief are all I have left of my sister and I won’t lose that too.”

Oliver Thornley, a close friend of Ms Bell, told the court in tears that Synamin had been a “lifeline” to her three children.

“Synamin was the most caring, nurturing and supportive mother I’ve ever know,” Mr Thornley said.

“She dedicated her life to her children, going to extraordinary lengths to ensure they had everything they needed to thrive. Nothing was out of reach for her if it meant her children could lead better lives.

“The loss of Synamin is not just a loss of a mother, but a loss of their entire world.

“Your honour, the pain of losing (her) is something that words can’t fully capture. The void left in the lives of her children, in mine, and those of all who knew her is profound.

“Synamin’s murder has shattered our community and the consequences of this tragedy will be felt for generations.”

Multiple members of Ms Bell’s family chose to wait outside the courtroom while Edwards read a written apology aloud to the court.

Cody Edwards in court-released footage showing his arrest in Millicent and police interview, over the death of Synamin Bell. Picture: Supplied

He said he was “incredibly sorry” for his actions, remained “haunted” by what he did to the woman he “loved” and said his feelings did not compare to the suffering of the Bell family.

“I hate myself for taking a mother away from her children,” he said. “I know the word sorry doesn’t cut it but it’s truly what I am.”

Edwards is due to be sentenced on Friday.