Bank robber-turned-TikTok star Russell Manser's ex-girlfriend pays ...

26 Mar 2024

The glamorous former girlfriend of bank robber-turned-TikTok star Russell Manser has shared a touching tribute to the larger-than-life character following his death.

Liliana Gagic shared photos of her and Manser and the message “Goodbye my lover, until we meet again” on Instagram on Monday.

Manser died unexpectedly on Saturday, aged 56.

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Manser had spent a total 23 years behind bars in some of Australia’s toughest prisons during the 1980s and ‘90s before turning his life around.

He went on to become a TikTok star, with a loyal following of 130,000 people.

An Instagram clip posted just six days ago showed Manser sitting near the waterfront at Barangaroo, in central Sydney.

Russell Manser’s girlfriend Liliana Gagic has shared a touching tribute to him to Instagram on Monday. Credit: lillygagic/Instagram

“The best revenge is no revenge at all,” Manser said in his characteristically honest style.

“I often just don’t let people matter. I’ve had people in my camp and as soon as they can’t control you, they become haters.

“Haters’ opinions doesn’t matter. Their opinion and five bucks won’t get you a ticket to Blacktown.

“When you let people live rent-free in your head, you’re doing a big disservice to yourself. Just concentrate on you and you only.”

Manser went on to encourage everyone to celebrate other people’s success.

“If you’re this person who celebrates other people’s success, you’re on my team. I love seeing people win.”

According to his website, Manser was first imprisoned at the age of 17 at Long Bay jail, where he was housed with some of the nation’s worst sex offenders and became a victim of sexual abuse.

He also claimed he was forcibly injected with heroin several times, which led to dependence issues.

Manser later founded the charity Voice of a Survivor to support other abuse victims.

He also testified at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse, later saying it had been healing for him to speak up.

In his later years, Manser amassed a huge following on social media through his podcast The Stick, on which he interviewed a number of big-name guests, including footballer Braith Anasta and boxer Jeff Fenech.

Manser spoke to the ABC about how he changed his life, saying he knew he hurt people.

“I’m not asking anyone to necessarily forgive me, I did a lot of distress to a lot of people,” Manser said.

“But now I have the opportunity to make up for it.”

Manser’s friends and family shared their tributes via social media — including his son, Ky, 22, who posted a photo of the two of them together.

“RIP dad till we meet again mate,” Ky wrote on Instagram.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to get back to anyone, I’ve been spending time with my family and trying to actually accept this with myself.

“I’ve just lost my best friend … and I’m trying to stay strong for my little brother.”

Support for survivors of sexual abuse is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

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