Arabic version: العائلة تشارك الصدمة بعد جريمة قتل ديفيد كوليسون الوحشية

The family of David Collisson, a 53-year-old man murdered in 2023, has opened up about their profound suffering and trauma resulting from his violent death. According to ABC News, Collisson’s remains were discovered in a burnt-out tree trunk on the Menah property near Mudgee after he had been shot three times.

Eric James Forrest, 35, was found guilty of Collisson’s murder in November 2025 after a three-week trial. Forrest shot Collisson multiple times on a property near Mudgee before he and another man burned the body. The sentencing for Forrest is scheduled for March 27, 2026.

During a recent court session, victim impact statements from Collisson’s family members conveyed their enduring pain. His son, Joshua Collisson, expressed the irreversible emotional damage inflicted by his father’s brutal murder. “The pain is not just sadness. It is shock, trauma, fear, anger, confusion, and a constant sense of loss that lives inside me,” he stated.

Joshua also reflected on the future he had envisioned with his father, emphasizing the lasting impact of violence on families. His sister, Bronwyn Vandergulick, shared her anger over the circumstances of her brother’s death, which overshadowed her happier memories of him. She called for justice for the pain inflicted by Forrest.

Collisson’s mother, Margaret Davidson, expressed her deep sorrow, stating she misses her son dearly and still waits for his calls. The court heard that on the night of the murder, Collisson pleaded for his life, saying, “please don’t, I’ve got kids.” Witnesses testified to the harrowing nature of the attack, which ended with Collisson being shot as he tried to escape.

Police began a missing persons investigation for Collisson on October 15, 2023, and his remains were found shortly thereafter. The case highlights the devastating consequences of violence, not only for the immediate victims but for their families for generations to come.