Brother of murder victim writes memoir after 11 years.
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A Hampshire man whose brother was murdered in 2015 has published a deeply personal memoir documenting eleven years of grief, trauma, determination and his efforts to keep his brother’s memory alive.
Eugene Scardifield, from the Portsmouth area, has released Michael’s Legacy — Michael’s Journey, a book exploring the devastating consequences of homicide bereavement and the challenges faced by families long after the headlines have disappeared.
In May 2015, Eugene’s brother Michael was murdered. The perpetrator subsequently received a life sentence with a minimum term of 18 years.
For Eugene, however, the conclusion of the criminal proceedings did not bring an end to the suffering.
Eleven years later, he continues to live with PTSD, survivor’s guilt and the emotional consequences of losing his brother in such violent circumstances.
His memoir offers an unfiltered account of that experience, exploring grief, anger, family relationships, fatherhood and the struggle to find purpose in a life permanently changed by murder.
Rather than allowing Michael’s death to become the defining story of his brother’s existence, Eugene has spent more than a decade undertaking extraordinary challenges in his memory.
These have included cycling from Land’s End to John o’ Groats, climbing seven mountains in seven days and trekking to Everest Base Camp.
Alongside his fundraising and public speaking, Eugene has become an ambassador for SAMM National (Support After Murder and Manslaughter), a charity supporting families affected by homicide.
He hopes that sharing his experiences will help challenge misconceptions about murder victims and their families, while drawing attention to the often-overlooked experiences of bereaved siblings.
Eugene said: “I don’t want Michael to be remembered for how he died. I want him to be remembered for how he lived.
“My brother was so much more than a murder victim. He was a son, a brother, a friend and a man who was loved by so many people.
“I’ve spent eleven years trying to make something positive out of circumstances I would never have chosen.
“I haven’t overcome my grief, and I haven’t found closure. I still miss my brother every single day.
“But I believe that every life I touch since Michael was taken is a life he has touched.
“If sharing my experiences helps another bereaved family feel less alone, or helps someone understand the long-term impact of murder, then something meaningful can come from telling our story.”
The memoir is available now on Amazon:
Book: Michael’s Legacy — Michael’s Journey
Author: Eugene Scardifield
Available: Amazon paperback
Charity affiliation: Ambassador for SAMM National