Mark ‘Sharky’ Russell: Coroner says Sydney man’s death should go to unsolved homicide unit
Mark Russell was found dead inside his Sydney home more than two years ago. A coroner has now ruled on the circumstances behind his death.
A coroner has ruled the mysterious death of a Sydney man found stabbed 12 times in his own home should be investigated by NSW’s unsolved homicide unit, a day after police announced a $1 million reward for information.
Mark Allan Russell was found dead inside his Surry Hills apartment on February 25, 2018, having suffered a series of stab wounds to his neck and chest.
No one has been arrested for the attack.
Deputy State Coroner Derek Lee said on Thursday it was clear the 53-year-old had been the victim of a “sudden and violent” murder by “person or persons unknown”.
On Wednesday NSW Police offered one million reasons for someone to come forward with information that could help them track down the killer of the Cronulla fan known affectionately as “Sharky”.
Mr Lee said in his findings that despite extensive investigations, police had been hamstrung by unreliable witnesses whose memory was affected by alcohol or drug use.
A fun-loving larrikin, Mr Russell was a popular and polite member of the Clisdell St unit block and was known to regularly have visitors to his apartment.
He often left his front door open, and his neighbours could hear and see his conversations through the screen door.
Witnesses have reported hearing Mr Russell speaking with one or more people in his unit on the night of February 24, while others have also spoken of bangs and loud noises coming from his home.
One of his close friends found the slain Mr Russell lying on the couch with a red pillow across his chest about 11am the next day. He was dead.
An autopsy found he had been stabbed at least 12 times and had several cuts to his hands.
Mr Lee found Mr Russell most likely died sometime between 7.30pm on February 24 and 6.30am on February 25, 2018.
On Wednesday Mr Russell’s sister, Julie Ann Stewart, joined police to announce the reward and re-appeal for anyone with information to come forward.
“The past two years have been absolutely devastating for our family, as we continue to grieve every day for Mark and the life he could have lived,” she said.
“Mark was a strong and vibrant character who had been through tough times in the years prior to his death – but always knew how to bring a smile to friends, family and the local community.
“We hope the announcement of this reward may bring new leads to the investigators so we may finally get justice for Mark – a much-loved brother, father, and friend – and give our family answers as to why he was so cruelly taken from us.”
Anyone with information can call Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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