’Blood started flowing from his ears’: Grieving boyfriend joined son in death bat attack

Five days after the death of his girlfriend, Beau Warren Abel joined her grieving son in an attack that ultimately proved fatal. With the son found guilty of murder, that boyfriend’s story has now also been told.

Beau Abel joined now convicted murderer Braydon Kelleher in attacking Adrian Garcia in central Sorell during March 2021.

FIVE days after the death of his girlfriend, Beau Warren Abel joined her grieving son in an attack that ultimately proved fatal.

Abel armed himself with a broom handle while Braydon Eugene Kelleher armed himself with a baseball bat.

The pair then confronted Adrian Walter Garcia, who was sitting under a tree, drunk in a central Sorell park.

Abel, then 32, who has pleaded guilty to assault for his role in the attack, appeared in the Supreme Court of Tasmania for Justice Gregory Geason to hear the facts.

It came the day after Kelleher, 21, was found guilty by a jury of murder by striking Mr Garcia twice to the head.

Beau Abel joined now convicted murderer Braydon Kelleher in attacking Adrian Garcia in central Sorell during March 2021.

Crown prosecutor Luke Ogden said Mr Garcia had been in a relationship with Kelleher’s grandmother, Carolyn Nevin, while Abel had been in a relationship with his recently-deceased mother.

On March 10 last year, Ms Nevin told the two men that Mr Garcia had made offensive comments about her daughter.

“The accused grabbed a long broom handle and Mr Kelleher grabbed a baseball bat,” Mr Ogden said.

He said Abel hit Mr Garcia to the upper arm and shoulder area with a broom handle, before Kelleher stepped in and hit him twice to the head with the baseball bat.

“Blood started flowing from his ears,” Mr Ogden said.

“Mr Kelleher went to strike Mr Garcia a third time, however the accused told him to stop.”

Abel “freaked out” and left the scene, throwing the broom handle on the roof of the nearby Pembroke Hotel.

“He told police he was disgusted in himself and would turn back the clock if he could,” Mr Ogden said.

He said the effect of Abel’s blows would have rendered Mr Garcia less capable of defending himself from Kelleher’s attack.

Mr Garcia died in the Royal Hobart Hospital on May 1 from a traumatic brain injury.

Abel will return to court on November 22.

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