Southport killer's brother: I feared he would kill our dad

Key Concepts:

• Neuromuscular condition
• Wheelchair user
• Sibling violence
• Behavioral deterioration
• Risk of fatal harm
• Social services intervention
• Sociopathy

Dion Ruda Cababana's Testimony on Sibling Violence

This transcript details the harrowing account of Dion Ruda Cababana, brother of Axel Ruda Cababana, regarding the violence he endured at his brother's hands.

Early Onset of Violence and Impact of Disability

• Dion Ruda Cababana was diagnosed with a neuromuscular condition at the age of 12, leading him to become a wheelchair user.
• This diagnosis necessitated a change in schools for both brothers.
• Dion reported that Axel resented this change and subsequently became violent, leveraging his superior size and strength.
• Dion stated, "I became wary of him because of that violence."

Escalation of Violence Following Expulsion

• Axel Ruda Cababana was expelled from his school in 2019 at the age of 13.
• According to Dion, Axel's behavior deteriorated rapidly after his expulsion.
• Incidents included broken glasses and smashed plates.
• Dion described a constant state of caution, noting, "I knew to be careful."
• He expressed concern for his father's safety, stating, "My dad could have been on the receiving end of that violence."

Fear of Fatal Harm and Family's Coping Mechanisms

• Messages sent by Dion to a friend at Christmas 2022 revealed the depth of his fear. He wrote, "There's not much that can be done as he is rather strong. Too much damage would be caused by my dad trying to restrain him and the risk of him doing something potentially fatal is a major concern."
• The family resorted to hiding knives in the house due to the pervasive fear.
• Dion recalled, "I remember being scared someone was going to die. 'My dad.'"

Lack of Social Services Intervention

• Dion explicitly stated that social services never inquired about the violence.
• This fear persisted until the attack in Southport in July 2024.

Axel's Struggles and Parental Loss of Control

• Dion acknowledged that Axel was not simply being "naughty" but was struggling to manage his situation, leading to frustration and lashing out.
• He agreed that his parents had lost control of Axel by the age of 13 in 2019.

Comparison to a Sociopath and Last Interaction

• Dion compared Axel to the sociopath character in the film No Country for Old Men, a character known for killing. He stated, "That's what concerned me."
• Dion's last interaction with his brother was a year prior to the Southport attack, during which Axel threw a metal bottle at him, but missed.
• The brothers have not spoken since that incident.

Conclusion

Dion Ruda Cababana's testimony paints a grim picture of escalating sibling violence, stemming from Axel's resentment over his brother's disability and exacerbated by his expulsion from school. The family lived in constant fear of serious harm, with no apparent intervention from social services. Dion's comparison of his brother to a cinematic sociopath underscores the extreme nature of his concerns.