A father who dedicated his life to helping others has been remembered as a kind-hearted man after he and his devoted service dog died in a tragic narrowboat fire on Christmas Day.
A Tragic Discovery on Christmas Morning
Gabriel Murphy, 43, was killed alongside his assistant dog Hugo during an early morning blaze on the Leeds to Liverpool Canal, close to Crooke Marina in Standish. His daughter, 23-year-old Juliette Murphy, was woken at 7.30am on December 25 after her partner received a call from emergency services.
Juliette, an NHS healthcare assistant, told the Daily Mail that she instantly knew it was her father, despite authorities being unable to confirm it immediately. She heartbreakingly recalled: 'Hugo just never left his side, and they found the dog cuddled up to whoever they thought the person was at the time.'
The day became an agonising wait filled with uncertainty. 'I was meant to be proposing to my girlfriend that day, so that didn't happen,' Juliette said. 'We were just kind of waiting. I was sick a lot. I was crying a lot.'
A Life of Service and a Special Bond
Gabriel Murphy served his country for seven years in the army's Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), including a tour of Iraq. He then spent eight years as a paramedic with the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).
Juliette explained how this work gave him purpose: 'He just wanted to help people...it helped him being able to physically help people and immediately bettering people's lives.' She described her father as a 'rugged' man with a 'kind heart', known for his bear hugs and for being a listener who put his own struggles aside.
His bond with his service dog Hugo was profound. 'He was literally my dad's shadow,' Juliette said. 'My dad was a different person after Hugo. He really struggled with his PTSD, his anxiety, and depression. Hugo just brought this new lease of life into him.'
Further Heartbreak and a Plea for Support
The family's trauma was compounded when a charity mistakenly cremated Hugo and discarded his ashes after being asked to keep them safe. This meant plans to have the pair's ashes kept together and scattered could not happen.
Juliette is now awaiting the results of an inquest by Greater Manchester Police and the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. The fire has been confirmed as non-suspicious, with the case now with the coroner.
She has started a GoFundMe to give her father a fitting send-off and is urging the public to support veteran charities. 'Because of what they've been through and what they've done for our country... I don't think they really get what they need,' she stated, highlighting the mental health challenges many face after service.
Looking ahead, Juliette, who is set to marry later this year, plans to honour her father at her wedding. 'He loved Guinness, so I'll probably make everyone drink Guinness or something,' she said fondly, remembering one of his simple pleasures.
