Family's Tearful Plea After Mother's Murder: Men Must 'Do Better'
The family of a young mother, brutally killed by her jealous ex-partner, fought back tears as they delivered a powerful challenge to men to 'do better' in the ongoing fight against domestic violence. Mary Benedito, aged 25, tragically died in hospital after being beaten and strangled by Reo Te Whetu Marama Marsh during a holiday on the Gold Coast on November 27, 2021.
A Heartbreaking Ordeal
Her family endured agonising long hours, oscillating between hope and dread, as she lay in intensive care for three days. Ultimately, they faced the heartbreaking decision to turn off life support. On Monday, they gathered outside the Brisbane Supreme Court to speak out after Marsh, 39, received a life sentence for murder.
'Women are still dying. Women are still faced with so much trauma and hurt and pain because of men who have not fixed themselves,' declared Ms Benedito's cousin, Josiah Benedito-Taotafa. 'I want men to call out shitty behaviours with their friends. I want men to grow some balls and start doing better with their communities.' He emphasised that domestic violence would persist until every individual educates themselves and improves their actions.
The Tragic Incident
Marsh had dragged Ms Benedito back into a Gold Coast hotel room when she attempted to leave, before brutally bashing and strangling her. He then took their 11-month-old son and abandoned her to die without seeking any medical assistance. Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane detailed that Ms Benedito suffered from blunt force assaults and ultimately died from a brain injury caused by manual strangulation. 'She had significant bruising to her arms, forearms, shoulders, and fingers, referred to as defensive injuries,' he stated.
The couple, who were separated, had been arguing over Ms Benedito's plans to relocate to New Zealand with their son. Marsh's jealousy was further inflamed by her seeing other men. Earlier in their holiday, CCTV footage captured them swimming and shopping together, a stark contrast to the violence that ensued.
Family's Grief and Remembrance
In a victim impact statement, Mr Benedito-Taotafa remembered Ms Benedito as 'humorous, totally confident in her values, and deeply compassionate.' He expressed how the tragedy has shaken his family's faith, led to health declines, and caused a collective struggle with grief, shock, and trauma. Ms Benedito's sister shared her devastation, saying she never imagined burying her younger sibling. 'Her greatest achievement was being a mum, and he took that from her,' she lamented.
Her aunt Maria, who helped raise her, described the heartbreak of seeing her 'black and blue with tubes keeping her alive,' which shattered their family. Marsh, in a letter to the family, expressed regrets and self-hatred, acknowledging that 'the unfairness of my actions are too severe to ask for forgiveness.' His barrister noted that his guilty plea spared the family the trauma of a trial and indicated genuine remorse.
Justice Served
Justice Crowley condemned Marsh's 'cowardly escape' before paramedics arrived, stating, 'All this happened because you became angry ... you sought to control her life.' Marsh will be eligible for parole in under 16 years, accounting for four years already served in custody. After fatally wounding Ms Benedito, he fled the hotel room, travelled to a Brisbane suburb, and was eventually found hiding in a storage unit while evading police.
Mr Benedito-Taotafa also called on the government to continue fighting for safety in communities, relationships, and mental well-being. This case underscores the urgent need for societal change to prevent such tragedies.
