A young man "with a heart of gold" was stabbed to death by his roommate in Portugal.
Elliot Mulligan, from Croxteth, was murdered in the grounds of the luxury apartment complex where he was staying in Albufeira, Portugal, on April 25 2022. The 22-year-old had been stabbed multiple times in the chest, back, arms and hands by his roommate, William Hunter, who was jailed for 18 years for the crime following a court case in May this year.
At Elliot's inquest today, October 19, a tribute from his mum Gina was read aloud by the coroner, Andre Rebello. It read: "That night caused unimaginable trauma to the family. The events that followed were so devastating that Elliot's grandfather passed away only two weeks later. Not only had Elliot left a huge void in the family's life, their hearts were forever broken.
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"Elliot was a gentle soul. He loved to laugh, loved to party. His smile will never be forgotten. Life will never again be the same."
The inquest was told Elliot's family had been on holiday with him at the time of his death, and that he had been due to return to Liverpool with them on April 27, 2022. But when he failed to return to the family's holiday flat, his mother, sisters and niece "frantically" searched for him before being contacted by Portugal's Policia Judiciaria, who broke the devastating news.
Elliot had been staying with Hunter, 31, at the Correeira Luxury Residence from April 6, 2022. The inquest was told that In the early hours of April 25, the pair got into an argument and Hunter launched a vicious attack, stabbing Elliot approximately 24 times.
Elliot managed to escape the flat by jumping from a balcony and walked several metres across the garden before collapsing. Emergency services were alerted just after 6.30am, and pronounced the 22-year-old dead at the scene a short time later. A post-mortem examination ruled his cause of death was multiple incised wounds.
Merseyside Police attempted to co-operate with the Policia Judiciaria following the incident, and received "limited information" that Hunter had been arrested and charged with murder. He was found guilty following a trial on May 23, and was jailed for 18 years.
Mr Rebello added: "It's understood an appeal has been launched and that is a matter for the Portuguese authorities."
Handing down a conclusion of unlawful killing, he said to Elliot's family: "The quality of life is not measured in time, it's measured in love. The 22 years of Elliot's life was filled with happy loving moments, and the person responsible for his death cannot take the love you have given away from you, or the love you received from Elliot."
Elliot's body was repatriated to Liverpool following his death, and he was laid to rest at Anfield Crematorium on May 30, 2022. A rainbow mural was painted in his memory on Croxdale Road West, while family and friends paid tribute online.
Victoria Mulligan said: "Goodnight little cousin. Gone far too soon but never forgotten, the whole family misses you, sweet dreams."
Kayleigh Mulligan said: "No words will ever explain how devastated we are. You will be forever missed, forever loved and forever in our hearts. Sleep tight."
Caitlyn Hartley said: "Goodnight Ell, the most beautiful person with a heart of gold. I miss talking to you everyday and all our plans, you have taken a piece of my heart with you and I’ll miss you forever. I’m so glad I met you and I’ll see you again one day, all my love always."