Claudia Tapia, the mother of Marco Tapia, the 23 year old uni student (pictured) murdered in mistaken identity incident at Glen Alpine, says the family wants the world to know who he was beyond the circumstances of his death.
In a public statement issued this afternoon, Mrs Tapia said today is “another significant and deeply emotional day for our family following the murder of our son, Marco Tapia’’.
“We acknowledge the charges announced today against a 16-year-old, 22-year-old and 23-year-old, in addition to those previously charged in connection with Marco’s death.
“We are so grateful to NSW Police and everyone continuing to work on this investigation. We understand that the matter is now before the courts and that the legal process must take its course,’’ she said.
“For our family, however, every development brings us back to the reality that Marco is no longer here.’’
Mrs Tapia said her son Marco was a warm, caring and loving 23 years old, a biomedical engineering student, a committed Christian, a youth leader, a volunteer, a martial artist, a boyfriend, a brother “and our deeply loved son’’.
“At 14, he was serving in his church youth worship team, loving the people around him. At 16, on his own initiative, he shaved his hair in the world’s greatest shave and raised approximately $500 for cancer,’’ Marco’s mother said.
“At 22, Marco was developing innovative biomedical engineering projects and contributing to work that received the Cochlear Best Choice Award. At the same time, he was helping young people through Engineers Without Borders.
“At 23, he was completing a biomedical engineering internship while coordinating and running EWB STEM workshops across NSW, encouraging disadvantaged young people to engage with science, engineering and problem-solving.
“Marco lived a life of faith, service, generosity and purpose.’’
She said one of the Bible verses Marco chose to publicly identify himself in Instagram was: Let all that you do be done in love – 1 Corinthians 16:14.
“That verse reflects our son,’’ she said.
“Marco had plans. He had purpose. He had a future, and he was already making a difference in the lives of others.
“His death is part of his story, but it must never become his identity.
“Marco was not simply a victim. He was our son, a brother, a boyfriend, a friend, a man of faith, a young leader and a biomedical engineer in the making, who was going to impact this sphere greatly.
“As the legal process continues, we ask that Marco be remembered not only for how his life ended, but for how he lived, what he gave, what he believed and the lives he touched along the way.’’
