Russell Manser’s son issues a heartbreaking plea after bank’s cruel decision following reformed criminal turned TikTok star’s sudden death

The son of a reformed bank robber who died this weekend says his father’s bank accounts have been frozen, leaving him and his older brother to pay for the funeral.

Russell Manser, 56, was a convicted criminal who spent 23 years in prisons across Australia until he turned his life around and founded the organization ‘Voice of a Survivor’ to help victims of abuse.

He died on Saturday evening at his luxury King Street Wharf apartment in Sydney.

The cause of death has yet to be made public, but there was none suspicious circumstances and a report was prepared for the coroner.

On Tuesday, his youngest son Bayley Manser launched a fundraising campaign to “give father the farewell he deserves and would want.”

He wrote: ‘The last thing we thought we’d do anytime soon is create a Go Fund Me page for our old man Russell Manser’s funeral.”

“Dad’s accounts are frozen for now, which has made it a little difficult for us boys to get the ball rolling financially for this funeral.”

Manser used social media to talk about the sexual abuse he suffered in prison as a teenager, to encourage others to rise above their circumstances, and to weigh in on high-profile criminal cases.

Pictured: Russell Manser in a designer clothing store in Melbourne

He had about 300,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram when he died, and he often spoke to his audience from his house on the harbor, or while leaning against the hood of his black Mercedes Benz.

Bayley wrote, “Many of you have asked us if there is anything you can do and the main priority for us right now is to give Dad the send-off he deserves and would want.”

“If you can spare anything for Dad’s funeral and wake-up call, our family would be very grateful.

“We appreciate you all.”

The fundraiser raised approximately $15,000 within the first hour.

Manser first spoke about his abuse at the Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse – he was in prison at the time, but he contacted lawyers about the violence he suffered.

By doing this, he was able to get rid of the shame and guilt he had been holding on to for thirty years and decided to help others do the same.

He started a private company called Voice of a Survivor to advocate for victims and helped many people who were victims of institutional abuse get compensation.

Russell Manser (pictured in Sydney Harbour) said he never thought he’d end up in a Sydney penthouse

Russell Manser often filmed videos while leaning against the hood of a black Mercedes Benz

Manser had a major stake in that company until it went bankrupt last July and was replaced by a new company called Warriors Advocacy.

He also had a podcast called The Stick Up where he interviewed people who had difficult life experiences.

Manser was often seen on social media standing in front of a luxury car, in his waterfront unit, on Bondi Beach, the gym or by Sydney Harbour.

There were several videos in which he described the humiliating way prison guards spoke to him and told him he would end up back behind bars and amount to nothing.

In a TikTok video last year, Manser stood in front of the Harbor Bridge saying he never thought he would leave Mount Druitt, the western Sydney suburb where he grew up.

“We never thought we’d never make it here – sitting in a penthouse, on a pier in Sydney, on the harbour, and life is so damn good,” he said.

Pictured: Russell Manser leaning against a luxury car in a video on social media

‘You know why? Because I dared to dream. I dared to believe I was more than this and, mate, life is so good.”

He captioned the clip: ‘From the s**thouse (prison cell) to the penthouse.’

In another video filmed around the same time, Manser made another video with the caption “for all those prison guards who said I wouldn’t amount to much (I know you’re watching).”

He stood on the waterfront of Sydney Harbor and asked his former guards, “Where are you having breakfast?” and laughed.’

Manser’s eldest son, Ky Manser, opened up about his father’s death on Sunday, saying he “can’t explain” the pain he’s going through.

“RIP dad until we meet again buddy,” he captioned a candid selfie of him with his dad. “I just lost my best friend… and I’m trying to stay strong for my little brother,” he wrote on Instagram.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to reach out to anyone, I’ve been spending time with my family and trying to actually accept this with myself (at the moment).”