Daniel Christie of Australia is dead after spending over a week on life support following getting punched on New Year’s Eve.
His family decided to take him off life support after he had been in critical condition for 11 days.
Prosecutors in New South Wales, Australia are considering murder charges against Shaun McNeil, 25, who is accused of attacking Christie.
He has already been charged with three counts of common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, reported the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Police are expecting to level more charges when he appears in court on March 4.
Meanwhile, a statement from the Christie family describes Daniel as an “exceptional” person.
“He was a beacon of morality with a heart of gold. We are so proud of Daniel and will strive to live with the core values he possessed; respect, dignity, pride and integrity,” they said. "He was someone who had faith in anyone, which in turn, inspired people to have faith in themselves. Daniel was so caring and encouraged people to be the best they could be.
“He was a friend to everyone he met. We always knew this, but it has been reinforced this week when receiving calls of support from such a vast range of people in the community whose lives Daniel had touched. ”
“His death has left us feeling completely destroyed and has torn a hole in the wider community in which he was involved. We have been overwhelmed by support and have felt the whole country experience our grief. We believe there is no better way of honouring Daniel’s generous and giving spirit than by donating his organs. Unfortunately there’s nothing we can do to help Daniel’s situation, but we are comforted knowing that we can help others.”
They added several pieces of advice, such as urging people to think before they go out drinking and not to engage in so-called “coward punches.
“Go home and hug your children. Tell them you love them. Call someone you don’t call often enough,” the family added.
“Cherish your family and the important relationships in your life, because you never know when you loved one could be gone.”
Friends Read Free