Luke Francis’s family share heartbreak over concreter's “100 per cent preventable” death

A heartbroken mother who launched legal action against one of Melbourne’s biggest entertainment venues says the 14-second unprovoked attack, causing her son’s death, was preventable.

Luke Francis was a funny and vibrant concreter who was days away from starting work on a major construction project.

But instead, a deadly punch at one of Melbourne’s most popular venues at the hands of a “violent and drunken thug” forced doctors to turn off the 29-year-old’s life support on the very day his new venture was supposed to begin.

In an unprovoked assault that lasted just 14 seconds, Luke died after Tyson Armstrong, 28, fatally punched him in Crown Casino’s food court in March last year.

Luke’s mother Michelle Harris is suing the venue for allegedly failing to remove her son’s killer before he fatally punched Luke, telling the Sunday Herald Sun she has been left “absolutely broken” by her son’s death.

Michelle Harris, with daughter Emily Francis. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Speaking exclusively for the first time as she launches the legal action, Ms Harris, who underwent chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer just two weeks before Luke was killed, described the whirlwind that unfolded when she received a call from a casino security guard telling her that a fellow patron had tried to resuscitate Luke.

“I honestly didn’t think anything, I thought he’d be fine … I couldn’t comprehend it,” she said.

“He was so vibrant. He’s left an absolutely massive hole in our family’s house.

“He was just the most beautiful human. He was fun. What a clown he was.

“This was 100 per cent a preventable death. Luke should still be walking through the door.”

Luke entered the Southbank entertainment venue with his partner about 11.45pm on March 26, 2022 after going to a music festival.

Armstrong followed Luke after the two spoke for a few seconds in the game room, before the Geelong father-of-three pushed and punched Luke from behind as he walked away.

Luke then stumbled sideways before falling to the ground, losing consciousness.

Armstrong was caught on CCTV demonstrating his strikes to his cousin as the two men walked away.

Luke with sister Emily.

Francis was killed in an unprovoked attack last year.

“He then just got woozy and just collapsed and went blue. He was gone,” Ms Harris said.

“The CCTV footage just plays constantly in my head … I just needed to see what happened right to the end.”

Luke died on March 29 after doctors at The Alfred told dozens of his relatives who waited outside the hospital that he was brain dead.

The cause of death was identified as a traumatic haemorrhage caused by blunt force trauma.

That was the day he should have begun working on the major Metro Tunnel project as a concreter in Melbourne’s CBD.

Tyson Armstrong, arrives at the Supreme Court. Picture: David Crosling

Tyson Armstrong

Ms Harris said she and her family have struggled to come to terms with his “brutal” death.

“We are good at putting a mask on. I’m broken, absolutely broken. Just devastated. I just miss him. I’m not doing good,” she said.

Luke’s sister Emily Harris remembered Luke as a “unique and irreplaceable” older brother.

Her chest is now inked with Luke’s final heartbeats, one rhythm from the night he arrived in hospital, and the other his last pulse as doctors switch off his life support.

“I don’t know who I am without my brother. I am still learning how to wrap my head around it,” she said.

“He just had the funniest sense of humour and the quickest wit.

“You couldn’t even be mad when he was shit stirring you because you’d just laugh with him and you’re just laughing because he always made you feel comfortable.”

Speaking through tears, Ms Harris said: “Emily, Luke and I formed the most amazing bond that should never have been broken”.

The close-knit pair released Luke’s ashes on what would have been his 30th birthday in a flurry of fireworks by Mordialloc beach near Luke’s Mentone home surrounded by hundreds of supporters, in a send-off inspired by Luke’s idea to light fireworks on Christmas Day.

Ms Harris said she was constantly plagued by what could have happened if Luke and Armstrong had not crossed paths.

Emily Harris, Luke’s stepfather Kevin Harris and mother Michelle Harris. Picture: David Crosling

In documents filed with the County Court, Ms Harris alleges Crown continued to serve Armstrong alcohol despite being drunk and did not remove him from the premises.

She is suing for damages for the severe emotional distress she suffered and the time she was forced to take off work following her son’s death.

“He was just being an absolute nuisance and he should have been kicked out of the place,” she said.

“The Crown Casino needs to be held accountable for what’s happened. Beef up the security. Put your big guys on the doors to intimidate these nuisances so they don’t misbehave.”

Arnold Thomas & Becker lawyer Travis Fewster, who is representing Ms Harris, said: “Luke did not deserve what happened to him. His family is forever shattered by the loss of their son and brother, and nothing can ever take the pain away.

Armstrong will spend at least eight years behind bars over the fatal assault after pleading guilty to manslaughter.

A Crown spokesman said it would be inappropriate to comment on the court case.

“Death in any circumstance is tragic and our thoughts and condolences are with the individual’s family and friends,” the spokesman said.