Lizzette Swindlehurst: Jason's death in Iraq was devastating

Aug 6 2009 By Mark Johnson

Lizzette Swindlehurst, with brothers Jason and Clint

LIZZETTE Swindlehurst has spoken of her devastation after losing her “gorgeous” and “handsome” brother, Jason, who was murdered in Iraq after being held hostage.

In her first interview since her family learned of Jason’s fate, Lizzette explained that the terrible news gave closure to the Swindlehursts’ ongoing nightmare.

And she hit back at those who doubted Jason’s strength and believed he had committed suicide.

She told the Advertiser: “We were in Malta when we found out. I was devastated. It had been going on since May 2007. We were told on June 20. It’s obviously closure for us.

“Unfortunately it does not go the way you want it to go sometimes.

“We got all the family around. We supported each other.”

Lizzette, of Marlborough Gardens, added: “They [the doubters] were originally saying he had committed suicide. He would not have taken his own life. He would not have done that. Only people who knew him knew he would not do that. He had too much to live for – he had a little girl.”

The family were overwhelmed by the amount of cards received and the supportive visits.

More than 500 mourners packed into St Michael’s church for the funeral service of the former St Thomas’ pupil on July 15. The entire Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, of which his dad Russell was a member, turned out with the Royal Engineers, Jason’s former regiment.