Lara said while she does not excuse her brother’s actions, she believes he deserved greater support from mental health services and says she “will always love and care for him”
A woman says she is “haunted by her father’s cries” after as her brother was jailed for life for his murder.
Christopher Monro, 30, was told he would serve a minimum of 12 years in prison for killing Peter Monro in Bath earlier this year. Emergency services were called to the 73-year-old’s home in Kelston View at about noon on Tuesday 11 February, where sadly Mr Monro’s was pronounced dead.
Detectives traced Christopher Monro’s movements, and he was subsequently arrested at his home address in Osney Lane, Oxford, by Thames Valley Police the following day. He was subsequently charged with murder, and he pleaded guilty at a hearing in August.
Peter’s daughter, Lara, shared an emotional statement in court on Tuesday December 23. She confessed that she is still trying to come to terms with what happened and said: “I find it almost impossible to grieve my dear Papa. In fact, I don’t think I have been able to yet, because I don’t think my brain has allowed me to full comprehend what has happened.
“In darker moments, I am haunted by my father’s cries. But then there are also times where I am comforted by his laughter. I try my hardest to focus on these moments as a way of staying connected to him.”
Lara said her brother – who is also known as Kit – had a ‘relentless battle with severely complex mental health issues’. She said while she does not excuse her brother’s actions, she believes he deserved greater support from mental health services.
She added: “I often find myself preoccupied and pained by my by brother’s suffering; what he must have been going through to commit such an act and what he must be navigating in the aftermath…
“Ultimately, I expect for Kit’s sentencing to be reflective of his actions. But I also hope he will be safe and in a protected environment, and that he is given the necessary care and support to move forward and heal; that in time it will be possible for him to experience less suffering, and more light…
“I loved our Papa with all my heart, and you (Kit) took him away from me. Yet while I will never be able to understand why or how you were able to do what you have done, you will always be my brother, and I will always love and care for you.”
Lara also thanked loved ones for their support throughout, and the professionalism and empathy of specialist family liaison police officers. Detective Chief Inspector Neil Meade said: “While today may mark the conclusion of the court proceedings, it does not end the pain and loss felt by all those who knew and loved Peter Monro.
“The past 10 months have been incredibly difficult for the entire family and they have shown remarkable resilience in such adversity. We are grateful for their support while we have investigated this tragic case.
“The information provided to us in the early stages relating to Christopher Monro was crucial in achieving this conviction and we want to publicly thank those who came forward. Sometimes little details may seem inconsequential on their own, but fed into the bigger picture they can have a huge impact on progressing investigations and bringing offenders to justice.”
