Friend of Gold Coast teen who fell to death told ‘your mate is dead’ by his alleged attackers

Cian English, 19, (right) fell from a fourth-floor Surfers Paradise balcony while allegedly trying to escape from a vicious assault at the hands of three men

A teenager who was allegedly bashed at a party before his friend fell to his death from a high-rise balcony was allegedly told ‘your mate was dead’ when he regained consciousness. 

Cian English, 19, was partying in a unit at the View Pacific resort in Surfers Paradise when he fell from the balcony at about 3am on Saturday. He died at the scene.

He was allegedly trying to escape a group of young men – Jason Ryan Knowles, 22, Lachlan Paul Soper-Lagas, 18, and Hayden Paul Kratzman, 20 – who have been charged with murder and armed robbery.

They allegedly held a knife to Mr English’s throat as they demanded the pair hand over their phones and clothing.

When the duo refused, the group began the alleged beating.

The friend, who has not been identified, was allegedly being beaten unconscious when Mr English stepped in to help, The Courier-Mail reported.

The trio then allegedly turned on Mr English who ran towards the balcony to escape. He was allegedly chased by the group before falling to his death. 

When the friend eventually regained consciousness, they allegedly told him: ‘Your mate is dead’.

Lachlan Paul Soper-Lagas, 18, is one of three young men charged with murder over Mr English's death

Lachlan Paul Soper-Lagas, 18, is one of three young men charged with murder over Mr English’s death

Hayden Paul Kratzman, 20, is another of the trio charged with murder and armed robbery

Hayden Paul Kratzman, 20, is another of the trio charged with murder and armed robbery

A 16-year-old girl who tagged along with the three accused is believed to have filmed the alleged violent assault, The Gold Coast Bulletin reported. 

The video allegedly shows a teenage girl saying that a man has plunged from the balcony. 

Police believe the three accused were staying inside a nearby unit in the apartment complex and had been communicating with Mr English’s party throughout the evening.

It will be alleged the two groups had been partying together and taken prescription drugs, but relations soured with things eventually turning violent.   

Jason Ryan Knowles, 22, is the eldest of the three who allegedly beat Mr English while trying to rob him, and is accused of causing his death

Jason Ryan Knowles, 22, is the eldest of the three who allegedly beat Mr English while trying to rob him, and is accused of causing his death

Four other teenagers were taken to hospital to be treated for drug overdoses following the wild party

Four other teenagers were taken to hospital to be treated for drug overdoses following the wild party

Four other teenagers aged between 16 and 19 were found in the same apartment in varying states of consciousness and were taken to Robina Hospital for treatment for drug overdoses.  

‘What we will be alleging is… the three main offenders have robbed the victim and his friend at knifepoint and in the course of this the victim has attempted to escape and gone over the balcony and died,’ Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith Smith said.

The other alleged victim safely escaped the complex.  

‘We believe that… all persons in the premises were under the influence of drugs at the time,’ Detective Smith said.   

Mr English (right) fell to his death from a Surfers Paradise balcony in the early hours of Saturday morning after allegedly being held at knifepoint

Mr English (right) fell to his death from a Surfers Paradise balcony in the early hours of Saturday morning after allegedly being held at knifepoint 

A 16-year-old girl who tagged along with the three men, aged 18, 20 and 22, is believed to have filmed the alleged violent assault

A 16-year-old girl who tagged along with the three men, aged 18, 20 and 22, is believed to have filmed the alleged violent assault

Detectives said Mr English was running from the men who allegedly stormed the unit he was partying in

Detectives said Mr English was running from the men who allegedly stormed the unit he was partying in

Jason Knowles, Lachlan Soper-Lagas and Hayden Kratzman were on Sunday morning charged with murder and two counts of armed robbery.

Police are investigating whether the alleged murder was linked to a series of break and enters at chemists in Logan and the northern Gold Coast where prescription drugs were stolen from the premises.   

‘Given the circumstances, the consequences of the robbery and the threats made to the victim…the three offenders are being charged with murder,’ Detective Smith said.

The cases against Knowles and Kratzmann were heard in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday. Both cases were adjourned to Southport Magistrates Court on August 4.

Spoer-Lagas’ case was heard in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Monday, he is expected back in court on Tuesday to determine his next hearing date. 

Mr English pictured left. After his body was discovered, four other teenagers in varying states of consciousness were found in the apartment

Mr English pictured left. After his body was discovered, four other teenagers in varying states of consciousness were found in the apartment

Up to 12 people were believed to have been at the party which ultimately resulted in the death of Mr English

Up to 12 people were believed to have been at the party which ultimately resulted in the death of Mr English

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