Brother of New Orleans attack victim Martin ‘Tiger’ Bech reveals last words shared between them | american news

On By Littum

The brother of a victim of the New Orleans attack has given a tearful tribute to his “best friend” and “role model” – revealing what the pair last said to each other.

“The last thing we ever said to each other, he told me he loved me,” Jack Bech said of his brother Martin “Tiger” Bech, 27, speaking to Sky News’ USA Correspondent James Matthews.

“I told him I love him, he told me he loved me even more, hung up – and those were the last words I ever spoke to him.”

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The pair spoke just hours before Tiger became one of the 14 people killed the attack on Bourbon Street, where people celebrating New Year’s were run over by a man driving a pick-up truck.

Image: Jack Bech
Picture:
Tiger Bech (left) and Jack Bech (right). Image: Jack Bech

Jack said he and his family will make sure “everyone knows” his brother’s name.

“He was my best friend, my role model,” Jack said. “(I) looked up to him. (He was) smart, inspired me to do everything I’ve done in this life. Inspired my whole family. He was loved by so many people. He always made time for the little guy. He was special.”

Jack Bech, brother of New Orleans victim Martin "Tiger" Beck
Picture:
Jack Bech, brother of New Orleans attack victim Martin ‘Tiger’ Bech

Jack said his brother’s “legacy will live on forever”.

“My family will make sure that everyone knows his name,” he said.

“Yesterday was the hardest day of my life and every day will be the hardest day of my life just living there knowing I can never talk to him again.”

Tiger’s family got to see him while he was unconscious in hospital but still alive, time that Jack said was precious to them.

“He couldn’t answer any of us, but I really think he could hear us, his eyes were closed.”

“God kept his heart beating for a reason, I think, so my family could say goodbye,” he said.

The Bech family with Jack Bech in American football gear in the center with his brother Tiger in the white top on the right, standing between his sister and mother. On the left of the picture are Jack and Tiger's father and sister. Image: Jack Bech
Picture:
The Bech family with Jack Bech in American football gear in the center with his brother Tiger in the white top on the right, standing between his sister and mother. On the left of the picture are Jack and Tiger’s father and sister. Image: Jack Bech

The time they spent together over Christmas was the best “we’ve ever had as a family”, Jack said.

“He saw all his friends when he was home, he made time for everyone and he saw so many people he hadn’t seen in a long time.”

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Jack said he believed everything happens for a reason.

The night before Tiger died, Jack said his brother “confessed his faith and his love for God”.

“It was the first time any of us had heard that in a long time, a decade, years and years,” he added.

Tiger “had such a great life”, said Jack. “He packed 80 years into 27”.