Parents of murdered teen Natalie Russell thank community 20 years on

PARENTS of murdered teen Natalie Russell have thanked the community for the past two decades of ­support.

years

PARENTS of murdered teen Natalie Russell have thanked the community for the past two decades of ­support.

Sometimes, Brian and Carmel Russell can't help but imagine what their daughter would have been like today, aged 37.

The former John Paul College Year 12 student may have been married with a few children. She had hoped to be a journalist.

Instead, a pile of photos, some netball trophies and a few cuddly toys are among the reminders of Natalie, the third victim of the 1993 Frankston murders.

Attacked while walking home early from school, she had taken a shortcut home along a bicycle track through a park and never returned home.

For the Russells it seems like only yesterday, not 20 years ago, when their 17-year-old daughter was killed on July 30, 1993.

The pain of losing a child will always be raw, Mr Russell said, but having community support has helped them get through.

"At the time it was an absolute catastrophe, but over the years we have had so much support from the community, our friends and family, police and local schools which has helped make our loss a little easier,'' he said.

"I can't imagine how anyone would cope with this sort of thing if they didn't have support like we have had, we feel lucky in a way.''

Parents also to Darren, Lisa, Jane, Janine and Damien, the couple never considered leaving Frankston after what happened.

"Our roots are here; our kids had all built friendships here and been a part of sporting clubs, plus we are still close to Nat in some way.''

To commemorate the 20 year anniversary of her death, as they do each year, Mr and Mrs Russell were joined by about 30 friends, family and community members to gather at Nat's Track, on Skye Rd.

The track, where Natalie was taken, links Skye Rd in Frankston to Frankston North and was named Nat's Track shortly after her death. It was rebuilt to include high fences and a straight path in 1999.