Anthony Maslin and Marite Norris, the parents of three children who perished in the MH17 disaster, have reached a settlement with Malaysian Airlines.
Mo, 12, Evie, 10, and Otis, 8, were on the MH17 flight travelling home from a holiday in Amsterdam with their grandfather, Nick Norris – Marite’s father.
The Malaysian Airlines plane was destroyed above eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, killing 298 people, including 38 Australians.
It was by a twist of fate that Anthony and Marite weren’t on the same flight – they had decided to stay back in Amsterdam for a few extra days.
The family before the unthinkable tragedy.
The Daily Telegraph reports Malaysia Airlines and Colin Biggers & Paisley, the lawfirm which filed the lawsuit against the airline, confirmed the matter had been resolved.
“We can confirm that we have reached an amicable and confidential settlement with the Maslin family and therefore the suit has been withdrawn,” said a statement provided by Malaysia Airlines Senior Executive Norshafiza Zulkifli.
“We will not however disclose any further details on this suit or about the details of the settlement in respect to the privacy of the family.”
Tragically and unsurprisingly, the couple say they suffered depressive illnesses that required counselling after they learned they had lost their beautiful children on the news.
Mo, Evie and Otis.
Two years after the unthinkable heartbreak, the couple announced Marite had given birth to a baby girl, Violet.
“Violet May Maslin came in to the world on Tuesday 10 May, bringing with her love and light, hope and joy,” a statement at the time read.
Baby Violet.
Their statement continued:
“Our family was torn apart when MH17 was blown out of the sky by the violent anger of a nationalist missile, on July 17, 2014. Our three innocent, beautiful and inspiring children were killed, alongside their grandfather, Nick Norris.
“We believe that Mo, whose 14th birthday was Saturday, Evie, 12 next week, Otis, 10 next month, and Grandad Nick have sent us an amazing gift. Violet’s birth is a testament to our belief that love is stronger than hate.”
Ten other lawsuits against Malaysia Airlines in Australia are still to be finalised.
