Stephen Lawrence’s family speak of his life before murder

The parents of Stephen Lawrence (pictured) have spoken out in an emotional new documentary to share a glimpse into the promising student’s life before the murder

Stephen Lawrence’s father has revealed in an emotional new documentary that he questioned whether his son’s murder was a punishment from God.

Neville Lawrence spoke about his son’s 1993 killing in Eltham, south east London, in the three-part BBC show Stephen: The Murder that Changed a Nation.

He said: ‘When you read the bible, it tells you that in the days of Moses and the pharaohs, one of the punishments that was dished out was that if you did something wrong you lose your first born.

‘And so I’m thinking, maybe I did something wrong?’ 

Mr Lawrence was speaking 25 years after his son was killed in a racist attack as part of a documentary that shows a glimpse into Stephen’s life before the murder.

Doreen Lawrence said: ‘Just to talk about Stephen a bit more, so people can see that he had a life not just in death but before.’

The new clips provide an insight into the life of a man who many know just in the context of his death.

His friends and family spoke about his achievements with the Cambridge Harriers, and his love of music and athletics.

New clips show Stephen enjoying a Public Enemy concert or laughing at home. 

One Twitter user said: ‘So nice getting to know Stephen Lawrence outside of his murder.’ 

Stephen's father Neville Lawrence (pictured) revealed in the show that he questioned whether his son's murder was a punishment from God

Stephen’s father Neville Lawrence (pictured) revealed in the show that he questioned whether his son’s murder was a punishment from God

One user tweeted saying the documentary was both 'utterly compelling' and 'depressingly relevant' 

One user tweeted saying the documentary was both ‘utterly compelling’ and ‘depressingly relevant’ 

The emotional documentary has been greeted with an outpouring of support on social media.

One user wrote: ‘Thirteen minutes in and this Stephen Lawrence documentary is already simultaneously utterly compelling and depressingly relevant.’

Diane Abbott tweeted: ‘BBC’s #StephenLawrence documentary was a powerful, harrowing account of the racist murder of Stephen and the relentless campaign his family had to initiate to challenge the years of institutional racism they faced.’ 

Another wrote: ‘Brilliant BBC documentary on #StephenLawrence. How much I take for granted, that as a white woman, judgement is rarely made and help would come. How sad is that? Help would come.’ 

Mrs Lawrence said: 'Just to talk about Stephen a bit more, so people can see that he had a life not just in death but before'

Mrs Lawrence said: ‘Just to talk about Stephen a bit more, so people can see that he had a life not just in death but before’

Many have reacted positively to finding out about Stephen before his murder 

Many have reacted positively to finding out about Stephen before his murder 

Many social media users found the show upsetting, with the recreation of the night of the murder proving particularly harrowing. 

As Duwayne Brooks explains what happens, he recalls Stephen repeatedly asking ‘Duwayne, Duwanye, what’s happened to me?’.

He then speaks of several passers-by ignoring his cries for help, and the police later asking him if he had misheard his attackers saying ‘what, what, n*****’. 

Another said: ‘Unbearable sad listening to Stephen Lawrence’s friend describe being with Stephen on the night of his murder. Simply horrific.’ 

However, some felt that referring to Duwayne as the ‘friend that ran away and left his friend’ was insensitive and failed to acknowledge the fact that he was just a teenager at the time of the killing in 1993 as well.  

Viewers have reacted strongly to the documentary, with many saying it is 'depressingly relevant'

Viewers have reacted strongly to the documentary, with many saying it is ‘depressingly relevant’

As Duwayne Brooks explains what happens, visibly upset he recalls Stephen repeatedly asking 'Duwayne, Duwanye, what's happened to me?'.

As Duwayne Brooks explains what happens, visibly upset he recalls Stephen repeatedly asking ‘Duwayne, Duwanye, what’s happened to me?’.

Many social media users found the show upsetting, with the recreation of the night of the murder proving particularly harrowing

Many social media users found the show upsetting, with the recreation of the night of the murder proving particularly harrowing

Some felt that referring to Duwayne as the 'friend that ran away and left his friend' was insensitive and failed to acknowledge the fact that he was just a teenager at the time of the killing in 1993 as well

Some felt that referring to Duwayne as the ‘friend that ran away and left his friend’ was insensitive and failed to acknowledge the fact that he was just a teenager at the time of the killing in 1993 as well



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