The family of Jay Brogden, who disappeared without a trace in 2007, are relieved that a second man has been convicted of manslaughter, the final piece of news that they hope will help them find closure.
Braddon Butler was charged with Jay Brogden’s murder in 2019 and has been detained, awaiting trial for the last four years.
His trial was scheduled for this week, but several days before it was due to begin, Butler pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
On Monday, at the Supreme Court in Mackay, he was sentenced to eight years.
The judge took into consideration the time he had already served, and Butler is now eligible for parole.
Last year Gavin Parnell was convicted of murder for shooting Jay Brogden in the head while the three of them were on a fishing trip off the coast of Airlie Beach.
It is understood that Butler was a drug dealer and had been selling drugs to Brogden when a discrepancy arose about money.
Butler and Parnell then took Brogden out on the fishing trip with the intent to seriously assault him, and Butler claims he had no idea that Parnell had a weapon.
Butler lied to the authorities twice about his involvement, once in 2007 and then in 2014.
Jay Brogden’s mum told the court that her son had been planning to move back home to his family in New South Wales before he was killed.
She said that not knowing what had happened to her son had been devastating for her family and that now she hopes they can put this behind them and one day focus on the good memories.
A road sign calling for witnesses following the disappearance of Jay Brogden in 2007. Photo supplied
