NSW: Funeral to remember 'giving' NSW murder victims

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-2008
NSW: Funeral to remember 'giving' NSW murder victims

By Katelyn John

SYDNEY, Aug 25 AAP - An elderly couple murdered in their NSW south coast home will
be remembered as "ordinary" people who worked hard for their community, says the minister
who will lead their funeral service.

Ken Keyte, 86, and his wife Margaret Keyte, 71, were found by police at their home
in Beach Road, Batehaven, about 9.30pm (AEST) on August 10.

They had severe head injuries which police believe were caused by a blunt instrument.

Neighbour Tracey Lee Pratt, 42, has been charged with the double murder after being
arrested yesterday at her home in the same street.

A funeral service for the couple will be held at 11am (AEST) tomorrow at the Broulee
Memorial Gardens.

Reverend Ian Lambert, from Batemans Bay Anglican Church, will conduct the service,
which he says will remember two long-standing members of the close-knit south coast community.

"They were long-term residents in the bay - Margaret and Ken had been here for over
40 years," Mr Lambert told AAP.

"They were ordinary people. That's what has struck everybody.

"They were your grandmother, your grandfather, your mum and dad. There was nothing
pretentious about them."

He said Margaret was a St Vincent de Paul Society volunteer and a regular member of
St Bernard's Catholic Church.

Ken worked for free at a local petrol station just to "keep in contact" with the community
after his retirement, he said.

Mr Lambert said the couple's two sons Donald and Garry had opted not to speak at tomorrow's
"simple" service, with a friend of the family to give the eulogy.

The couple was last seen at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club on the Saturday night prior
to their deaths.

Garry Keyte called police after he could not get his parents to answer the door on
the Sunday morning.

Mr Lambert said it was a small blessing that Garry had not been able to enter the locked
house to find his parents bodies.

He said the community was rallying behind the Keyte's sons and their families.

"There's been a fair bit of support for the family, whether it be meatballs or letters
- that sort of thing," Mr Lambert said.

"They're doing well considering the nature of the event.

"I've been speaking with them regularly over the last few days and considering what
they've gone through they've got incredible support from the community and family and
friends."

The family has requested donations be made to the Heart Foundation in lieu of flowers.

Pratt appeared briefly in Batemans Bay Local Court today. She did not apply for bail
and it was formally refused.

Magistrate Robert Rabbidge adjourned the case to September 22 at Wollongong Local Court,
where she will appear by video link.

AAP kaj/evt/tnf/de

KEYWORD: PRATT NIGHTLEAD

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