Cassius Turvey: Albany to host candlelight vigil after alleged murder of Noongar Yamatji boy in Perth

A candlelight vigil will be held in Albany on Wednesday in honour of Cassius Turvey, a Noongar Yamatji boy who was allegedly murdered in Perth last month.

Cassius was allegedly bashed with a metal pole while walking home from school with friends in Perth on October 13.

Jack Steven James Brearley, 21, has been charged with his murder, with police alleging he chased and attacked Cassius, leaving him with head injuries that caused his death 10 days later.

Mr Brearley has also been charged with the aggravated assault of 13-year-old Tristan Collard.

Cassius’ devastated friends say they were wrongly accused of damaging Mr Brearley’s car and subjected to verbal abuse moments before the attack.

Vigils and rallies have been organised across the country to show solidarity with the 15-year-old’s family and to call for justice after his death.

The Albany vigil will start at the Albany Town Hall JUfrom 6.30pm, where Menang Gnudju elder Carol Pettersen will deliver an official statement from Cassius’ mother, Mechelle Turvey.

The crowd will then walk to the Albany Justice Complex where candles will be lit in the boy’s honour.

“The local Aboriginal community in the Great Southern are coming together to show support to the Turvey and Wilson families as they have lost a beautiful boy,” organiser Denika Seelander said.

“There is a large number of Aboriginal families in Albany and after this tragic event has occurred, a lot of families are now scared for their children and grandchildren.”

Cassius has been remembered by his friends as an “old soul” and the “sharp” one they went to for advice.

At the age of 14, he started a pay-what-you-can lawnmowing business with his friends called Lawnmower Boys, with a Facebook page describing them as “teens wanting to be active in our community in our spare time”.

The list of cities hosting events in honour of the WA boy includes Perth, Canberra, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Alice Springs, Newcastle, Broome, Bunbury, Cairns, Woollongong and Townsville.

Ms Seelander said it was important for the community to show solidarity in the fight for justice and make a clear statement about Cassius’ death.

A GoFundMe campaign set up for the family has raised almost $500,000 in one week.