Love Island winner’s best mate is accused of killing beloved grandad – after the Good Samaritan had tried to help the budding star find fame
EXCLUSIVE
An Elvis Presley fanatic who was allegedly murdered by the best mate of Love Island winner Grant Crapp had been trying to help his accused killer find a job, Daily Mail Australia can reveal.
Pensioner Bernie Peri, 75, was found dead inside his Parkes home, in the NSW central west, by a concerned friend about 1.40pm on Sunday.
He had last been seen attending a karaoke event at the town’s Royal Hotel the night before.
Musician Marshall Karaitiana, 28, was arrested at a home in Haylock Street, Tullamore, about 100km north-west of Parkes, at 5pm on Tuesday and has since been charged with Mr Peri’s murder.
He is due to face Parkes Local Court later on Wednesday.
Karaitiana made headlines in 2018 after childhood bestfriend Grant Crapp shared half of his $50,000 cash prize with him after winning the inaugural Love Island Australia series in 2018 alongside girlfriend Tayla Damir.
At the time, Karaitiana was a fighting for life in hospital after falling from a fifth-floor balcony in May 2018.
‘I have a close mate who has got into a bad accident and he’s in hospital at the moment,’ Crapp said at the time.
Bernie Peri (pictured) was allegedly murdered over the weekend
Marshall Karaitiana, 28, (pictured) has been arrested and charged over the alleged murder
‘He’s just come out of life support so I want to give half of my money to his family because they’re struggling a little bit and I want to see him recover 100 per cent.’
Grant continued: ‘He’s a good mate of mine, and I’m always there for my mates.’
Despite his horrific injuries (which included brain, bowel and bladder bleeding, punctured lungs, a torn liver, and broken ribs, skull, spine, feet and knuckles), Karaitiana made a miraculous recovery.
However, a source told Daily Mail Australia that Karaitiana’s accident left him with some permanent injuries.
A talented singer and guitarist, Karaitiana returned to performing the year after his near-death experience, doing live shows under the stage name Mellow Marsh.
Aside from having his own business, the 28-year-old also frequently features alongside his siblings on Keeping up with the Karaitiana’s – a social media page set up by his mother and dedicated to her children’s music pursuits.
‘Just trying to get my talented kids names out there and heard,’ the bio reads.
‘Please support, share and like the page.’
Love Island stars Grant Crapp and Tayla Damir are pictured during their time on the hit TV show
Crapp gave half his award money to Karaitiana, who is pictured during his fight for life in hospital in 2018
Karaitiana, who grew up helping his father Michael run famous travelling show, Roy Bell’s Boxing tent, which operated across Australia, moved to the NT from Queensland after his fall before later relocating to Parkes.
‘Parkes-bound, where Elvis Presley once called home,’ he wrote online in November 2022.
‘Nothing studio-worthy to release as of yet, sorry fans. Hope y’all keeping well mighty high and dry considering all the floods…
‘Music sits heavy in my heart as always if anyone wants to put on a show give me a holla.’
Like Karaitiana, Bernie Peri was also an enthusiastic musician, frequently singing the Elvis Presley songs at events in Parkes – which is the King of Rock and Roll capital of Australia, with an annual gathering of Elvis impersonators.
Both men also shared a similar cultural background. Mr Peri was a Kiwi, originally from Kaitaia, while Karaitiana’s mother is from New Zealand and his father is half-Maori half-Australian.
Tributes have begun begun to pour in online for Mr Peri, who has been remembered by loved ones and locals as a ‘true gentleman’ and ‘legend’.
‘A true gentleman, always ready to shake your hand, have a chat and sing some country songs,’ one friend wrote.
‘Fly high mate.’
His niece Candy Schaefer described her uncle as a ‘sweet man’.
‘May you RIP uncle Bernie,’ she wrote.
‘We are all going to miss you so much and we love you.
‘Fly high.. another angel.’
Another friend said: ‘Such a beautiful soul. He was very down to earth and always ready to help.
‘Bernie you will be missed.’
The Royal Parkes Hotel, where Mr Peri was a beloved patron and regular entertainer, is throwing an ‘hour of power’ between 4pm and 5pm on Wednesday to celebrate his life.
‘We will be putting Bernie’s beer of choice, Carlton dry, at a discounted price so that we can all gather while enjoying one of his favourite brews,’ the business wrote online.
‘We hope to see you here to celebrate the life and share some stories among his family and friends.’
