Community rallies around family 21-year-old Brisbane man’s fatal fall
The family of university student Fletcher Beasley have been flooded with support from friends, colleagues and Brisbane residents following the 21-year-old’s sudden death overseas last week.
Beasley’s father is Matthew’s longtime business partner and Current ConsultingJohn Kotzur said his colleagues were saddened by the news of the young man’s death.
“We are all shocked, stunned and a little numb because we all have children of similar ages and we realize what it would be like for the Beasley family to have a huge void that will never be filled,” Kotzur said.
Beasley was visiting London with friends when he fell from a height in the early hours of June 25 at Victoria Embankment, a popular area on the north bank of the River Thames that runs under Waterloo Bridge.
A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said Beasley died at the scene despite efforts by paramedics and specialist teams to save him.
Beasley’s family had initially planned to hire a private investigator to investigate the death but confirmed on Thursday they would allow the London coroner to investigate first.
The 21-year-old was working for a law firm and was in his fourth year of studying business and law at the Queensland University of Technology and graduated from Brisbane Boys’ College (BBC) in 2022.
Headteacher Andre Casson said Beasley had been a valued member of the BBC community for almost a decade.
“The community mourns the loss of Fletcher and continues to support each other during this difficult time,” Casson said.
One online fundraiser The campaign, launched Wednesday on behalf of the Beasley family, had raised more than $110,000 by Friday.
A note from the family initially stated the funds would help the family and close friends rebuild their lives, bring Beasley’s body home and seek “justice.”
But a statement released later Thursday said the Beasleys would also create a charity named after the young man “to support others facing similar difficult situations.”
“Fletcher always thought of others, and we know this is something he would want to be remembered for,” a statement from the fundraiser’s organizers said.
Kotzur said his colleagues at Extant Advisory responded immediately to lend a helping hand, including financial support to the family, but he was equally “blown away” by the support shown by the wider community.
“I assume these are some of the former students at the BBC, and they were very, very impressive when they saw how quickly they responded,” Kotzur said.
“This is a real testament to that community and a real boost to the Beasleys to know how much their son is loved and how much their family is supported by the Brisbane community.”
Parents Katrina and Matthew Beasley recalled in a statement Thursday that the young man was “extremely generous and community-minded.”
“His loss leaves an immeasurable absence, but his warmth, kindness and love will continue to shape the lives of all who were lucky enough to know him,” the 21-year-old’s parents said.
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