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The New Jersey father beaten to death while confronting a friend’s son accused of assaulting his daughter was an “invincible man” with a “larger-than-life” personality — and also a flat-Earther who loved conspiracy theories, practical jokes and President Trump, according to a glowing obituary.
“THE MAN – THE MYTH – THE LEGEND,” opens the commemoration of 54-year-old Louis “Gus” Serbeck, who was killed allegedly at the hands of a “lifelong friend” and his teenage son during a vicious brawl on Easter Sunday.
“There are many stories of Gus throughout our area; as with every Legend, the stories take a life of their own, they become myths, and those myths define the Legend,” the obit read. “The instant you met Gus, your life changed forever; you knew from that moment on you had someone in your corner no matter what. Gus didn’t have typical friends; every friend was a ‘best friend.'”
A father of two daughters and grandfather to two boys, Serbeck was remembered as a devoted family man who “believed in things with a total conviction,” and “a hero to many” for always speaking his mind.
He was also an expert handyman who “could do anything with his hands,” and excelled as a roofer and carpenter.
And chief among his passions was having a good time — no matter how eccentric some of his hobbies could seem to an outsider.
“Gus was always the life of the party. He was always the center of attention at any gathering, and was sure to deliver up loads of laughs with his many antics. He loved walking behind all the family’s children and putting ice down their back or a cold beer on their neck,” the obituary read.
“He also loved conspiracy theories, sky watching and recording for aliens and drones. Gus had many alternative theories about life. One of which is the flat earth theory. No matter what it was, he did vast research on the subject to support his view point. He also loved Donald Trump.”
“Gus didn’t just believe things because that’s what he was told to do. He believed in things with a total conviction, because he researched it. That was just Gus, never a follower, always a leader,” it continued.
But most of all, Serbeck was remembered as a family man who would put everything on the line for his people — something that he apparently did on April 20 after he went to the Vineland home of his high school friend Eric Hannah, 55, and confronted his 17-year-old son over claims the boy had assaulted his daughter Brooke the day before.
That confrontation quickly descended into an all-out brawl — and ended with Hannah and his son allegedly beating Serbeck in the head with a metal baseball bat and flashlight until he collapsed, Cumberland County prosecutors say.
Serbeck died soon after, on the way to a hospital.
But Hannah’s family claims Eric and his son never touched Serbeck’s head — and that while they did brawl with a bat and metal pipe, Serbeck threw the first punch.
“Gus didn’t have no bruises on him at all, whatsoever,” Hannah’s 14-year-old daughter Alana told The Post. “From what I could tell, he looked fine. I mean, [my brother] was obviously hitting him, but not as hard as I feel like Gus was hitting my brother, because my brother was all bloody.”
After the brawl died down, Alana said she watched Gus stagger to his car, struggling for breath before he collapsed — and that everyone thought he’d suffered a heart attack.
Serbeck’s family was also baffled by what happened — especially that he could have been overpowered in a fight.
“He would have picked him up by the throat,” Serbeck’s younger brother Christopher said. “I’ve seen him fight five guys at the same time and never have a problem. There’s something that wasn’t right about that day that he left his back open.”
“It doesn’t make sense. The whole thing doesn’t make sense. So many weird things happened,” he added.
Whatever happened, Serbeck’s family says he died defending what he loved best.
“The story of his death is just one more myth that will define his Legendary life. He laid his life down to do what he does best, to protect his family; to protect his baby girl,” the obituary read.
“Gus’ life was one of strength, resilience, unshakable values, protection, service and love. He will be missed by many… Long live the Legend …” it concluded.
Hannah was arrested and faces charges for homicide.
His son was taken to a juvenile facility while prosecutors decide whether he will face charges.
English (US)