Bradley Stanley, Wellington stabbing: Mum mourns ‘best kid’

The heartbroken mother of a young man stabbed during a brawl has revealed the extraordinary lengths she went to to make sure she was by his side before he took his last breath.

Brad Stanley was “always smiling”, his relatives said. Picture: Facebook

Hard working, always smiling, generous and a devoted son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.

That’s how relatives are remembering much-loved 24-year-old Wellington stabbing victim Brad Stanley after his tragic death on Sunday.

Arthur, Kataya, Isaiah, Leanne, Daniel and Zeek Stanley are mourning the loss of their brother and son Brad. Picture: Ryan Young

Brad’s heartbroken mother Leanne Stanley said he was always someone who put family above all else and always offered those closest to him an abundance of respect, affection and kindness.

“He was the best kid … he loved his four brothers, sister, nan and pop, family and friends, me and my partner Leo so much,” she said.

“He put up a good hard fight to stay with us.”

Leanne said her son was a talented shooter who liked to visit the shooting range, also loved motorbikes, golf and country music.

After he finished his schooling in Wellington, Brad completed a tiling apprenticeship in Brisbane.

“He was nominated as an apprentice of the year and made the top five in Queensland,” Leanne said.

In 2021, Brad planned to move into his own home with his brothers, but his life was cut short after he was stabbed in the stomach outside a home on William Street in Wellington.

Leanne said Brad relocated with her and other family members to Charlestown, near Newcastle, two months ago, however they returned to the central west to celebrate Christmas.

Brad Stanley with his brother, Aunty, uncle and cousins. Picture: Supplied

When Brad was stabbed, Leanne and her partner Leo were back in Newcastle for work and she said Brad had planned to be with them.

“They were going to come home the night before and Brad said all his friends were here and he wanted to spend one more night with them.

“They stayed and the boys went out.”

Early the next morning, Brad was stabbed and rushed to Wellington Hospital for treatment.

His condition deteriorated and hospital staff had to perform CPR multiple times.

Brad’s Aunty Megan Humphries was one of the family members by his side in hospital while Leanne travelled down from Newcastle.

“He had to be sent through to Dubbo and to theatre,” Ms Humphries said.

“He lost a lot of blood … the blood wasn’t clotting.

“He was a fighter, he knew that his mum and aunty and family were on their way.”

Brad’s funeral details are yet to be finalised. Picture: Facebook

After surgery Brad’s family were told the severe blood and oxygen loss he had suffered left him with little chance of survival.

“We got a phone in there so Leanne could talk to him,” Megan said.

“He heard his mother’s voice, he was still going.”

As Brad battled to survive, Leanne and her partner were told they needed to get to the hospital fast.

When they were 20 kilometres out of Dubbo Leanne said “floor it”.

“A cop car come over the hill and hit us with the siren straight away … we kept driving and he was behind us,” she said.

After pulling over, Leanne waved the police officer over to her.

“I said ‘you need to help me, my boy’s in Dubbo Base Hospital and he’s dying and I need to get to him and you can get me there quicker’.

“I don’t even know what he said, I just opened his back door and got in.

“This gentleman radioed through to whoever he needed to and the way was clear, he had us there so quick, we didn’t have to give way to anyone, we didn’t have to stop.”

Friends of Brad Stanley say that behind the beautiful smile there was a beautiful person. Picture: Supplied.

Leanne made it to Dubbo Base Hospital before Brad took his last breath, surrounded by his beloved family and friends.

“It’s not right what happened, it never should have happened,” Leanne said.

“Everything’s different now.

“People keep saying ‘are you alright?’ We’ll never be alright, but we’re gonna be okay.”

Hundreds of people have offered support to Leanne and her family via a GoFundMe page which has attracted more than $16,000 in donations.

Family friend Fallon Ahsee created the page to help the family who so often have helped others in need in Wellington.

“Everyone in the community wanted to help and there’s not much you can do when someone loses a child to make that any better,” she said.

“Leanne’s such a lovely person and so are her kids and she would go out of her way to help anyone in need.

“Obviously she won’t be able to go back to work for a while, so to help financially is a little something the community can do to offer support.”

Brad’s funeral details are yet to be arranged.