Family’s heartbreak after brothers deny murdering Morwell teen Nicholas Henry

The family of a Morwell teen who was stabbed to death say he was the “piece that held them together” after two brothers denied murdering him in court.

The last photo Taylor Henry took with her brother, Nicholas Henry, before he died in February this year.

The family of a Morwell teenager stabbed to death say they are falling apart without their brother and son.

Nicholas Henry, 19, was found dead on February 20 after he was allegedly ambushed by three men.

Brothers Corey Smart, 24, and Brayden Smart, 21 pleaded not guilty to his murder in Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on July 19.

A third man charged with Mr Henry’s murder, Abraham Abas, 19, also faced court and was remanded to reappear on July 28.

Mr Henry’s sister Taylor said her family had been devastated by his death.

She said she saw him four weeks before he tragically died.

“He came for a visit in January and it was a 40 degree day so we all decided to go to the pool with our family,” she said.

“We had a ball swimming, laughing and doing silly things that brother and sisters do.”

A young Nicholas Henry with his sister, Taylor Henry. Picture: Supplied

Mr Henry was a brother to six and loved motorbikes, cars and footy.

Ms Henry said he held their family together.

“I miss everything about him,” she said.

“We just want justice for our brother.”

Ms Henry said she watched the online court hearing on July 19 and her “heart dropped” following the not guilty plea.

“(The not guilty plea) is not something we wanted to hear,” she said.

“Now we have to wait longer before we get any sort of closure.”

The case is ongoing, however, Mrs Henry said her family still didn’t have any answers about the lead up to her brother’s death.

One of the tributes left for Nicholas Henry who was stabbed to death in February.

Mr Henry was found by emergency services in Buckley St with severe stab wounds and died soon after in hospital with family members by his side.

“My family still hasn’t accepted that my brother is no longer here and we are still coming to terms with it all,” she said.

“We still have so many questions and not getting any answers which makes us even more angry and frustrated.”

Corey and Brayden Smart will stand trial in the Supreme Court. They did not apply for bail but will appear for a directions hearing on August 3.

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