Double Tragedy For Family Fighting For Justice In Death Of A Loved One

A metro family already dealing with the alleged kidnapping and murder of their elderly father, is now grieving again.

The son of the victim passed away while fighting for justice.

News 9 talked to Paul Birdsall Jr. as he sat in his hospital bed battling stage four cancer but, we weren't talking about his illness. The focus was on his father's murder.

“He didn’t deserve this,” said Birdsall Oct. 15. “He didn’t deserve this at all.”

10/15/15 Related Story: Family Of Alleged OKC Beating Victim Upset With Suspect’s Sentence

At the height of his cancer battle, all Birdsall wanted was for the person who he says murdered his father, to be convicted of the crime.

“How’d she get away with all this? How do you kill an elderly upstanding Vietnam hero, and get 10 years,” said Birdsall.

Birdsall sought justice, pleading for a stiffer penalty until the day he died. 

The family believes Evelyn Goldsmith, who entered a guilty plea for aggravated assault and battery, needs to spend more time in prison. 

Investigators say the former caretaker held Paul's 71-year-old father against his will for days, hitting him in the head and causing a brain bleed which ultimately lead to his death.

“He just wanted answers,” said Christy Birdsall. “Why did she get out so easily.”

Christy Birdsall and her children are preparing to lay her husband of 28 years to rest. A man she says fought for his life and the life of his father until the very end.

“His thing was keep on keeping on. That was his motto. We always said that, day for day, keep struggling, keep fighting. You can’t give up,” said Paul’s wife.

But now, Christy says her husband is finally at peace.

“I know he is. I know he is,” said Christy. “He’s still with me.”

Paul was a local pro-wrestler for a number of years. News 9 was told the Mid-south Wrestling Alliance will do a 10-bell salute in his honor.

If you would like to help this family with burial cost as well as lingering medical expenses, you can donate below.

https://www.gofundme.com/PaulBirdsallJr