Chopper Read died a taxpayer: manager

Crime figure Mark "Chopper" Read has died following a battle with liver cancer, his manager says. Source: AAP

ONCE a feared criminal, Mark "Chopper" Read spent almost half his life in jail but died a man who lived a quiet family life and paid his taxes, his manager says.

The best-selling crime author, 58, died on Wednesday after a battle with liver cancer.

"I am deeply saddened to confirm the death of Mark Brandon Read, known widely throughout Australia and the world as 'Chopper'," his manager Andrew Parisi said.

Read spent more than 23 years in jail for crimes including armed robbery, assault and kidnapping, including trying to abduct a County Court judge at gunpoint.

He claimed he was involved in killing 19 people and the attempted murder of 11 others.

Read announced he had terminal liver cancer in April 2012, tweeting: "Looks like the big C has finally bitten."

Doctors gave him at the very least only six weeks to live.

He made his last public appearance a fortnight ago in front of a sold-out audience at Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre.

He wished to be remembered as someone who spun a great yarn and made people laugh, Mr Parisi said.

"Despite his failing health, he delighted the audience with his skills as a raconteur and storyteller," he said.

Read's death is a tragic loss for his wife Margaret Cassar and his sons, Roy and Charlie, Mr Parisi said.

For more than 15 years he had lived a quiet life with Margaret in Collingwood.

"He worked as a writer, painter and public speaker, paid his taxes and took care of his family," Mr Parisi said.

"At the time of his death, we ask that people reflect on how Mark was able to overcome his past and, after more than 23 years in prison, find a way to re-enter 'normal' society.

"It is as a husband, father and friend that Mark will be missed most deeply."

Read was last freed from prison in 1998, after serving six years for inflicting grievous bodily harm on a bikie by shooting him in the chest.

He claimed to have been stabbed seven times, shot once, run over by a car, and gouged to the head with a claw hammer.

He had a fellow inmate cut his ears off while in prison, which he said was part of a plan to avoid an ambush at Pentridge's H division.

His books, beginning in 1991 with Chopper: From the Inside - which sold more than 300,000 copies alone - made him Australia's best selling true crime author.

Read was immortalised in the movie Chopper, starring Eric Bana.

The owner of the inner Melbourne pub where Read was a regular last saw him a fortnight ago.

"He just looked yellow, as sick as I've seen him for some time," publican Glen McGee from Collingwood's Leinster Arms told AAP.

Mr McGee said Read was the pub's first customer when it opened 12 years ago.

"I remember it well and that's as sick as I've seen him.

"He hasn't drunk alcohol for nearly four years now because of his liver complaint.

"People took him as Chopper Read, he was just Mark to us."

Read's family has requested privacy.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Chopper Read died a taxpayer: manager

Dengan url

http://mesinjahitan.blogspot.com/2013/10/chopper-read-died-taxpayer-manager.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Chopper Read died a taxpayer: manager

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Chopper Read died a taxpayer: manager

sebagai sumbernya