A family of Australian teacher Shanae Brooke Edwards, who was killed in Tbilisi back in July 2021, is demanding a life sentence for Rafael Mursakulov, a Georgian citizen who has been charged with robbing and premediated murder of the young woman. 

“We now turn to the Georgian Justice System to deliver a life sentence to the perpetrator for such a senseless and cowardly attack. Shanae deserves justice, and the women of Georgia deserve protection from such evil,” said the family in a letter released earlier today.

The family praised the deeds of Shanae during her short life and expressed gratitude to her friends ‘who so quickly raised the alarm and began a tireless search effort to find our girl.’ 

“The outpouring of love and messages from Shanae’s many friends locally and abroad, including the Georgian community have been a wonderful support for our family.We are thankful for the Tbilisi Police and investigators for locating Shanae so quickly and arresting the perpetrator,” said the family.

They also thanked the Australian Embassy in Ankara and the Kordadze Law Office in Tbilisi for taking care the family while in Georgia, 

“We would like to thank both the State of Georgia for their offer of financial assistance with Shanae’s repatriation and the people of Georgia for their outpouring of grief, love and support during this most traumatic time,” the family stated. 

Shanae Brooke Edwards went missing on July 30 afternoon after going hiking in Mtatsminda park in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi and was found dead on the next day. 

She was an English teacher who had been living in Georgia for about two years.

Mursakulov is facing 16-20 years in prison or life imprisonment.