‘I wish I had given him another chance’: Daughters of murdered man reveal anguish after violent Sorell death

The daughters of murdered man Adrian Garcia have revealed their trauma and sadness since the fateful day their dad was bashed to death with a baseball bat in central Sorell.

THE daughters of murdered man Adrian Garcia have told of their shock, trauma and “dreadful nightmares” since news broke of their father’s violent demise.

Last month, 21-year-old Braydon Eugene Kelleher was found guilty by a jury of murdering his nan’s boyfriend with a baseball bat in central Sorell after the victim made disparaging comments about his family.

Mr Kelleher was grief-stricken at the time as his mother had recently died, and was “full of rage”, swinging a baseball bat at Mr Garcia more than once.

On Tuesday, Supreme Court judge Gregory Geason heard two victim impact statements, written by Mr Garcia’s daughters – Isabella and Chelsea.

The statements were read to the court by Crown prosecutor, and Tasmania’s Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Linda Mason SC.

“I was shocked to learn about the violent manner of my father’s death,” Isabella Garcia said.

“While my dad was in a coma, I had dreadful nightmares where I relived what had happened to him.

“Now I feel on edge all the time.”

Isabella said while her father was in hospital, he opened his eyes and she thought he would recover – but he died.

Adrian Garcia, 51, was murdered in central Sorell in broad daylight, on March 10, 2021. Picture: Facebook

Chelsea Garcia said she hadn’t seen her father in over a year when she heard about the assault on March 10, 2021, that ultimately took his life just weeks later.

She said she had been hoping to re-establish their relationship.

“I wish I had held his hand and told him I loved him,” she said in her statement.

“I wish I had given him another chance despite the times he had disappointed and hurt me.”

Chelsea, who said she was suffering hair loss since her father’s death, said she was now easily triggered and suffered heart palpitations at seeing any aggression, including on television news.

At the pre-sentence hearing, Ms Mason said there was no justification for Kelleher’s actions, and that Mr Garcia was defenceless.

“He struck him on more than one occasion and at least one of those blows was delivered while he was on the ground,” she said.

“The attack occurred in full view of the public, including a number of students who had just left school and were waiting for their bus.”

However, Ms Mason said Kelleher had regretted his actions, took steps to notify and assist authorities, asked someone to call an ambulance, and made full and frank admissions at the time.

“He didn’t intend at all for this man to die – it was impulsive and impetuous conduct.”

She also noted he had no prior convictions.

Another man involved in the attack, Beau Warren Abel, has pleaded guilty to assault and is yet to be sentenced.

Justice Geason will sentence Kelleher on February 23 next year.

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