Jason Bennett faces his fifth Christmas without his children, Lacey and John, who were tragically murdered on September 18, 2021. In a horrific crime, Damien Bendall killed his partner, Terri Harris, and her three children in their home in Killamarsh, England. This brutal act, which involved using a claw hammer, took the lives of 11-year-old Lacey, 13-year-old John, and their friend, Connie Gent, who had been staying over for the night.
As Jason reflects on the holiday season, he finds himself grappling with painful memories. Each year, he walks to his mantelpiece, where he once placed carrots and milk for Santa, only to find it adorned with photos of his beloved children. This ritual of kissing their frames has become a daily reminder of the life he once had.
On that fateful evening, Jason was on holiday in Devon and missed a video call from Lacey. He recalls the joy in her voice as she and Connie shared their charity efforts to raise money by selling sweets. The following morning, however, Jason woke to devastating news. As he scrolled through social media, he saw a blurred image of a tent at the crime scene and soon received a heartbreaking call from the police.
“I crumpled to my knees, sobbing for my beloved angels,” he said. The first Christmas without them was particularly unbearable. Jason stated, “I couldn’t stop thinking about them, what I would have gotten them as presents or what games we would have played. I just wanted to die.”
Christmas had once been a time of joy for Jason, where he relished preparing festive meals for his family. He reminisced, “Christmas was everything. From just waking up and hearing them in the next room, to opening gifts.” However, since their deaths, he has found it difficult to engage in these once-enjoyed activities.
Jason described the initial years following the tragedy as “horrendous.” He isolated himself, avoiding work and social interaction, consumed by grief. With time, he began to seek support from a close network of friends and family. “It’s difficult to fit in when you are feeling so fragile, but life takes on a new normal,” he reflected.
Despite the pain, Jason has dedicated himself to honoring his children’s memory. He has raised over £78,000 for the Youth Cancer Trust, the same charity his children had supported. His efforts have included organizing charity football matches, with the latest held at Sheffield Wednesday’s field.
As he faces another holiday season, Jason holds onto hope that one day, Christmas will regain its magic. He continues to cherish memories of Lacey and John, stating, “I was – and still am – truly the luckiest father on earth to have had them.”
Damien Bendall received a whole-life sentence for these heinous acts, ensuring he will spend the rest of his life in prison. Jason’s story is a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of violence and the importance of community support in the face of unimaginable loss.
