‘Rest easy little soulja’: Family mourns mystery death of boy, 12, as vile trolls attack him

The family of a 12-year-old who died from horrific injuries in mysterious circumstances say even they don’t what killed their ‘little soulja’, as friends rally together against vile trolls posting racist comments.

Wayne Russell, who died on Tuesday after being found at a friend’s house 30 minutes after a mystery car crash just a few streets away, has been remembered as a ‘polite’ schoolboy with ‘a cheeky smile’.

But friends of the boy’s family posting tributes to him also slammed the racist remarks about his indigenous heritage. 

‘Beyond disgusting comments!!,’ posted one woman.

 ‘A lot of these ppl need serious help from a psych. Sick in the head.

‘Racist pieces of s**t some of them always gotta bring up the fact (he’s) Koori.’

Another angry Facebook user wrote that the ‘comments on this is absolutely heartbreaking, people are so friken nasty!’

The mother of two boys who were schoolfriends of Wayne’s at Woonona East Public School posted a photo of him in class with one of her boys holding up a school project, saying that Wayne was ‘a polite’ boy

Wayne’s (right) smile ‘lit up a room’, but even his family are bewildered about what happened to the 12-year-old to cause the horrific injuries which resulted in his death early on Tuesday

Police rushed to the Towradgi Road crash (above) after the sound ‘like a bomb going off’ reverberated through the streets, but found the car empty, its doors open and the occupants had fled

‘Absolutely broken, so many emotions and questions and… can’t even explain. Poor baby he will be missed.’  

Wayne , 12, was found in the Wollongong suburb of Balgownie south of Sydney about 2am after emergency services responded to the report of a boy suffering ‘significant injuries’.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated Wayne, who was rushed to Wollongong Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

At the same time, police were investigating a major traffic accident after a black Holden Barina crashed into a traffic light at about 1.35am at Towradgi, a three minute drive from Balgownie.

When police attended the crash scene they found the Barina wrapped around a telephone pole with the driver’s and passengers’ doors all open, and no one inside the wrecked car.

Friends of the boy’s family posting tributes to him also denounced the racist trolling of the schoolboy’s indigenous heritage. ‘Beyond disgusting comments!!,’ posted one woman, ‘A lot of these ppl need serious help from a psych’

Read Related Also: Lauren Goodger shows off her curves in nude crop top and leggings after vowing to look ‘sexy’ again

The young boy who died at a friend’s home in mysterious circumstances on Tuesday morning has been identified as 12-year-old Wayne Russell (above) but what caused his fatal injuries is yet to be determined

Facebook users decried the comments by vile trolls relating to Wayne’s indigenous background, saying ‘just because he’s Koori’

Officers at nearby Corrimal Police Station had heard the massive crash and responded immediately, but by the time they reached the scene, the occupants had fled. 

Police are investigating whether Wayne’s death was related to a dangerous TikTok trend called ‘creeping while you sleeping’ – where young Australians film themselves committing serious crimes including stealing cars and driving at high speeds.  

Meanwhile, the boy’s family and friends are posting heartfelt tributes and begging for answers. 

Wayne’s cousin, Jamain Russell, posted on Facebook: ‘Love you my brah … we will see you soon, love you soo much rest easy my soulja my cuzz, rest in paradise.

‘We just need the closure right for what happen too you my little cuzz.’

Another cousin, Quiarnii Russell, posted ‘My heart is hurting, R.I.P little cuzzy taken way to soon. Our hearts are shattered,’ while Wayne’s aunt, Morgs Quirk wrote, ‘Rest easy in the dream time nephew. #forever12. RIP lil Wayne.’ 

Wayne’s cousin Jamain Russell paid tribute to the ‘little soulja’ but also puzzled about what caused his death, posting ‘we just need the closure right for what happen too you my little cuzz’

Another cousin Quiarnii Russell said ‘our hearts are shattered’ by Wayne’s death

The mother of two boys who were schoolfriends of Wayne’s at Woonona East Public School posted a photo of him in class with one of her boys holding up a school project, and the two boys clapping together with painted faces in what appeared to be an indigenous celebration. 

‘Gone way before your time little buddy!!,’ the mother posted, ‘You will be missed by all who met you. 

‘A smile that lit a room and the best personality a boy could have. You were always so polite to me and a good mate to my boys. Rest in paradise Lil Wayne!!’

Jason Hogan, NSW Police Detective Acting Inspector, confirmed they are investigating whether the crash was linked to the TikTok craze. 

‘We’d appeal for anyone that might have social media content that would cover the incidents that’s happened this morning to come forward,’ he said.

‘We’re investigating all lines of inquiry and the social media line will be investigated too.’ 

Police are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage related to the crash, or how Wayne came to be injured to contact police.

A stolen black Holden Barina crashed into a traffic light at Towradgi, in Wollongong, south of Sydney, in the early hours of Tuesday morning