Kaleb Raymond Brunsdon: Perth tradie’s death in car crash sparks bitter court fight between parents

The tragic death of a young WA tradie in a horror freeway crash has triggered a bitter court battle between his divorced parents over his funeral, ashes and estate.

Ceiling fixer Kaleb Raymond Brunsdon, 24, was driving an Isuzu ute the wrong way on Mitchell Freeway when he smashed into two cars about 11.25pm on February 9.

The 56-year-old female driver of a Toyota Yaris was also killed in the crash, while the driver and passenger of an MG hatchback were injured.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, a deeply personal dispute has erupted between Kaleb’s parents over how the young tradie should be laid to rest.

The Supreme Court of WA was told that the pair were locked in a heated disagreement over who should organise the funeral, which funeral home should handle the service and who should control Kaleb’s ashes.

The situation escalated after Kaleb’s father Kane Brunsdon found out that his late son’s mother Lauren Suarez had already started organising the funeral and had been listed with WA Police as the “senior next of kin”.

Kaleb died without leaving a will — and court documents reveal that the dispute quickly got ugly.

“I have organised and booked a director OK so f**k off,” Mr Brunsdon texted Ms Suarez, according to the judgment.

“How the f**k are you next of kin.”

Ms Suarez launched legal action after receiving more messages in which Mr Brunsdon said he would be “definitely stopping the funeral”.

She sought orders restraining him from interfering with the arrangements.

On February 27, Supreme Court Justice Larissa Strk ruled that Mr Brunsdon must not interfere with the funeral plans organised by Ms Suarez, which were set to take place at Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park.

“This is on account of the concerning tone and threatening nature of the correspondence received by Ms Suarez,” Justice Strk said.

However, the judge clarified that the order did not stop Mr Brunsdon from attending the service.

A decision about what will happen to Kaleb’s ashes will be made at a later date.

“The parties will benefit from having some additional time to reflect upon that question,” Justice Strk said.