Sef Gonzales is a convicted murderer from Sydney, Australia who was convicted of killing his sister, Clodine, and his parents, Peter and Mary Loiva Gonzales, in July 2001. The murders, which were described as "brutal" and "calculated," shocked the nation and garnered widespread media attention.
In 2004, Gonzales was found guilty of all three murders and was sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 35 years. The trial and subsequent conviction were the subject of a book by journalist Caroline Overington, titled "I Came to Say Goodbye."
Overington's book delves into the background of the Gonzales family and the events leading up to the murders. It explores the motivations behind Gonzales's actions and the role that greed, envy, and resentment may have played in the killings.
Throughout the book, Overington presents a nuanced portrait of Gonzales, depicting him as a troubled young man with a history of mental health issues and a tendency towards violent outbursts. She also examines the impact of the murders on the surviving family members and the wider community, and the ongoing efforts to come to terms with the tragedy.
One of the most striking aspects of "I Came to Say Goodbye" is the way in which it highlights the complex and often disturbing psychological dynamics at play within the Gonzales family. The book reveals the deep-seated tensions and rivalries that existed within the family, and the extent to which these tensions may have contributed to the killings.
In conclusion, "I Came to Say Goodbye" is a thought-provoking and compelling exploration of a deeply disturbing crime that continues to haunt the nation. It offers a nuanced and unflinching examination of the motivations behind the murders and the impact they had on those involved, making it an essential read for anyone interested in true crime.