"You will be so missed": Slain brothers farewelled in emotional funeral
Ben and Russell Smith, who were fatally stabbed in their Blue Mountains home, have been farewelled in an emotional funeral.
More than 750 people gathered to pay tribute to the young boys, aged 9 and 11, as the boy's father delivered a heartbreaking eulogy.
Mourners embraced outside the church, with father Nick Smith saying his children were “the biggest pleasures and joys of our lives”.
“Boys, it’s been an absolute, absolute privilege to be your father. I hold you so deeply in my heart,” Mr Smith said.
“You are loved by your family, through your friends, through the community, through the school, through your soccer club, through the Panthers, throughout society."
“You will be so missed. You had such beautiful little lives, such beautiful, beautiful adventures, and we had so much more adventure to come."
He said Russell was "outgoing, kind, determined, caring and thoughtful, adventurous and just a heart of gold, who no matter what wanted to help".
Mr Smith described his other son Ben as a "sweet boy", adding, "The one name you gave yourself was Ben Jelly, and it stuck."
Mr Smith said he would make sure his sons are “never forgotten”.
“You were such wonderful, cheeky, funny, charismatic boys,” he said. “You made the world a better place."
“You’re my world. You’re my little Ben, my Russ, you’re my best crew. I’m gonna miss you two so much. Your memories are your legacy. I love you so much. I will never stop loving you. No one else will either.”
The boys’ 42-year-old mother, Trish Smith, has been charged with their murder.
Image credits: NSW Police