Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Erwin Kastenberger

Erwin Kastenberger was a security guard for Chubb, in Melbourne. Yesterday he was delivering some cash to a bank when it was robbed. He did what he was told, but was shot dead anyway.

When I lived in Melbourne 15 years ago I worked with Erwin's wife Robyn. She was a great workmate and Erwin seemed like a very nice guy the few times I met him. He found me a rent-free place to live at one stage, in an art gallery in Toorak Road owned by a friend of his (I was supposed to deter burglars). It didn't work out though, the place gave me the heebie-jeebies and I wasn't allowed to have any visitors.

Now Erwin is gone and Robyn is wondering why. I wonder too.

I have been thinking more about Erwin and Robyn and now I remember meeting their son Mark a few times. He was my age, and I think he was their only child. I had just moved to Melbourne from Tasmania, and Robyn did quite a bit of transferred mothering while I was working there.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Robyn is my best friend. What happened to her is just Crap. There are no words to explain the pain she goes through every day. I was there when she was told the news. My life will never be the same. Words just cant express what im trying to say

Chris Rees said...

I am so sorry. What happened to Erwin, Robyn, Mark and yourself shouldn't happen to anyone. I can't begin to imagine the depth of your feelings. Thank you for visiting my blog, and give my Robyn my regards.

Anonymous said...

hi there. do you know who got charged for the murder and how long the sentence is?

Chris Rees said...

Here it says Hugo Rich is in jail awaiting trial. The other two crims got eight and nine years.

Anonymous said...

eight and nine years? That is so wrong. i wonder what that Rich will get. i think they should all get life. All that had something to do with it. i knew Erwin briefly, he helped me out once. i was a complete stranger to him. I'll never forget his kindness. if possible could you keep us posted on any outcomes? or provide a link?

Chris Rees said...

I will keep an eye on the news, and post anything I hear on this page. If you could do the same I would appreciate it.

Erwin's death made me think a lot more about violent incidents like this, that make the news for a week and then fade from view.

People like us need to keep asking questions and making sure the crims, the authorities and the families left behind all know that we remember, we care and we won't just silently accept violence.

Anonymous said...

I knew Hugo Rich quite well for some time. I have no doubt at all that he committed this terrible crime, and equally have no doubt at all that he will be convicted of it when his trial finishes later this year. If anything good can be said to have come out of Erwin Kastenberger's murder it is that this animal will be kept off the streets for life, and in his case it will probably mean life, too. Take some small comfort from that.

Anonymous said...

Hi, good to see people are still thinking of Erwin Kastenberger.
15 Oct 2008

Anonymous said...

I know one of the other ones connected with this crime & I have no doubts he played a big part in this murder but unfortunately he is getting away with it, by turning as a witness against this Hugo monster: I feel very sorry for Erwin kastenberger's family & friends, I only wish our sorrow for them would bring him back. What I can tell you is that this low life monster Ryan rolling over in the court will pay in the long run; it will not matter what protective means the police & courts put him under, as will his family.

Chris Rees said...

Hugo Rich was found guilty this morning after 4 month trial. Lenny Ryan testified against him in exchange for having his own murder charge dropped.

For what its worth I would not be happy to see any further violence connected to this case, against Ryan or anyone else.

Anonymous said...

The important thing now is not that Rich is sentenced to life, as that is a given. Really, you can count on it - he will get life. The important thing is the MINIMUM sentence he has to serve. Life nowadays can mean thirteen years (coincidentally the last stretch Rich did for armed robbery) or less, but it is possible for a judge to specify a minimum of thirty years or more. I don't know a lot about Australian sentencing practices or law (I'm a UK lawyer) but if the Kastenberger family are asked to prepare impact statements as part of any pre-sentencing procedures they should take legal advice on how to bring this point home to Justice Lasry.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know when the sub-human Rich is up for sentencing?

Anonymous said...

I have known Hugo Rich for over 20 years, I was employed by him at the time of the armed robbery & murder of Mr. Kastenberger. I was also called to give evidence against this "psycho" and was in total fear for the 4 years that it took to come to trial. Hugo has not been sentenced as yet, but I am hoping that since he is a serious offender, that he qualifies for the dubious title of " Never To Be Released". The last person convicted in Victoria of murdering a security guard during an armed robbery was Santos Mecury. he was given a minimum of 25 years. he died of natural causes in Barwon prison. My heart goes out not only to the family and friends of Mr. Kastenberger, but all those that Hugo has "touched" during his brief bouts in the real world. he has destroyed many more lives, like mine and that of my family. There are many victims of this monster, that will never fully recover from the diabolical mind of this true mad man. All we can hope for is that natural causes claims him sooner rather than later.

Anonymous said...

Hugo Rich is to be sentenced today,
Friday Nov 13th,2009 following his conviction earlier this year for murder.I hope the sentence is significant enough to allow the relatives of Erwin Kastenberger to finally find some form of closure.

Chris Rees said...

A good article in The Age today by Andrew Rule.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/rich-man-poor-man-20091112-ick8.html

I am thinking of Robyn and Mark today. I also hope sentencing gives them some sense of justice.

Chris Rees said...

Rich gets life, with 30 year minimum.
Robyn is quoted as saying the sentence is ‘‘fantastic’’ and ‘‘a marvellous relief’’.

Anonymous said...

Justice has been served today. May Robyn and Mark and family be able to "move" on with their lives and keep Erwins memory close in their hearts.

Anonymous said...

Hallo zusammen.Ich lebe als Deutscher in Deutschland und habe Erwin mit 16 Jahren kennen gelernt.Wir waren immer gute Freunde und haben auch zusammen in einer Solinger Papierfabrik gearbeitet.Ich wollte es nicht glauben als er mir erzählte das er nach Australien auswandert.Ich habe immer gesagt du kommst wieder.Er war auch danach einige mal wieder hier in Deutschland,das weiß ich von seinem Bruder Erich der hier in Solingen lebt.Über Erich habe ich versucht Kontakt zu Erwin aufzunehmen was leider nicht funktionierte.Irgendwann habe ich dann einfach seinen Namen bei Google eingegeben und ich war erstarrt was ich dann erfahren habe.Mein Mitgefühl für seine Familie,mein Hass für diesen feigen Mörder es gibt keine gerechtere Strafe als ein langsamer Qualvoller Tot für dieses Schwein.

Chris Rees said...

Hi, Anonymous Deutscher in Deutschland. I am so sorry you had to find out about Erwin's death in that way, and that ultimately his migration to Australia had a tragic end.

If it is any consolation, it seems Erwin had a good life here with a terrific wife and son, and he was highly regarded by everyone who knew him.

Anonymous said...

I worked with Erwin Kastenberger and he was a beautiful soul. Happy, friendly and genuine.

I have suffered with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder since Erwin's passing in 2005. Not only was he my colleague, but a lovely friend. He and Robyn brought me back souvenirs from holidays and also helped me out at the time, me being a single mother, recently separated from a husand who did not regard child support as necessary.

It has taken me some years to come to term with Erwin's death. I thoroughly blamed myself for having rostered Erwin on that run that day. And to find out 10 minutes after I had walked in the door for the day that the rostered casual in the control room had treated the alarm as non urgent really made my heart race. I was the one that called the police and finally made contact with Bob after Erwin had been fatally shot.

I miss my beautiful friend and always will. That is all I can say tonight, being the 13th anniversary of his passing. I will take the time to actually post everything that happened that day sometime soon when my emotions are under control again. Thanks for reading.