Donors fund headstone for tragic baby Joshua
Natascha Suessbier with baby Joshua who was murdered by his father John Tighe in 2013.
The mum of six-month-old baby Joshua Suessbier, who was murdered over a decade ago, has thanked people for generously supporting a fundraiser for a headstone on his grave.
Natascha Suessbier spoke last June about the terrible ordeal she suffered at the hands of Cloonfad, Ballyhaunis man John Tighe who is serving a jail term for his son's murder. Tighe (45) was given a mandatory life sentence in 2018 for the murder of Joshua, who fatally choked on a ball of tissue on June 1, 2013.
A handmade wooden cross previously adorned Joshua’s grave. However, the concrete surround was crumbling apart, prompting Natascha to launch an online fundraiser. More than 120 people donated almost €4,000 to the GoFundMe campaign after Natascha spoke about the devastating grief she suffered when her ex-partner killed their baby son.
Natascha, who described Joshua as a very happy, wonderful child, said the new grave was completed on November 16, which would have been Joshua's 11th birthday.
“I would like to thank each and every one from the bottom of my heart for all the support and for donating towards getting Joshua’s forever resting place done,” Natascha said. “Without all that help, Joshua wouldn't have gotten the beautiful grave he has now.
"I can't put into words how overwhelmed I am by all the generous support. It means the world to us.”
Evil killer Tighe, who appealed his conviction several times, claimed at his trial that he carelessly left a wad of tissue within baby Joshua’s reach while he went to the toilet, but expert medical witnesses said it would have been impossible for Joshua to form or swallow the ‘egg-shaped wad’ independently.
Natascha is now rebuilding her life with her partner and two children, one of whom she had with Tighe before she found out the truth about his involvement in Joshua's tragic death.
The new headstone is in the shape of a teddy bear holding a heart and Natascha had the poignant words, ‘Mummy misses you’ and ‘Fly little angel fly’ inscribed on it.
