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One Punch in Laganas: The Death of Matt Jeffery and Why Every Zante Visitor Needs to Know This Story

On 24 May 2019, Matt Jeffery, a 35-year-old father of two from Yeovil, Somerset, arrived in Laganas, Zante for his first-ever lads' holiday. Five days later, he was dead – killed by a single punch outside a nightclub on the strip. His skull hit the kerb, and he never regained consciousness.


Six years on, one man finally faces extradition to Greece, another walked free with a suspended sentence, and the person many believe threw the very first punch has never been questioned about Matt's death.

This is the story Sky News investigated in their devastating 2025 documentary – and it's one that every parent, friend, or partner waving someone off to Laganas, Magaluf, or Malia needs to understand.

sizzle club zante

What Happened That Night in Laganas

Matt was on a stag do with seven friends. After a relaxed day by the pool, they headed to Sizzle Club on the notorious Laganas strip – the same stretch of road home to venues like Rescue Club, Cherry Bay, and Zero's.

Inside the club, a larger group from Essex became rowdy over drinking games. Words were exchanged, minor pushing began, and security staff made a critical decision: they ejected Matt's smaller group of eight, leaving them outnumbered on the street while allowing the Essex group to follow them outside.


The Fatal 19 Seconds

CCTV and mobile phone footage shown in the Sky News documentary captures the moment with chilling clarity:

  • Matt, wearing a white shirt, stands in the middle of the road with his arms outstretched, trying to calm the situation

  • A man in a black vest (later identified as Luke Brownsdon) runs toward him

  • Brownsdon delivers a ferocious uppercut directly to Matt's jaw

  • Matt's head snaps backward, he falls straight back, and his skull hits the concrete kerb

One witness described hearing a "sickening crack like a coconut being smashed." Matt never regained consciousness. He died in hospital in Greece on 29 May 2019, leaving behind his wife Charlotte and two young daughters.


The Three Men at the Centre of the Case


Luke Brownsdon – The Fatal Punch

Brownsdon, identifiable in his black vest on CCTV, delivered the punch that killed Matt. He was convicted in Greece in 2023 and sentenced to 12 years in prison. However, he had already fled the country and returned to the UK, where he worked on building sites for years while evading justice.

In April 2025, Brownsdon was finally arrested in the UK and now faces extradition proceedings to serve his sentence in Greece.


Adam O'Brien – The Wrong Man?

O'Brien was originally convicted by Greek courts for throwing the "first punch" that started the violence. He received a 10-year sentence, later reduced to 3 years suspended on appeal.

However, O'Brien's family and legal team maintain he is innocent. They argue that Greek police identified the wrong person, and that O'Brien was confused and coerced into signing a "confession" in a hotel lobby without proper legal representation.


William Locke – The Man Who Got Away?

This is where the case becomes even more troubling. Multiple witnesses – five separate people from the Essex group – identified a man in white sports shorts as the person who threw the initial punch that sparked the violence.

UK facial-mapping experts reviewed the CCTV and provided "strong support" that this person was William Locke, not Adam O'Brien. Yet Locke:

  • Fled Zante within 48 hours of the incident

  • Was never interviewed by Greek police

  • Has never been charged in connection with Matt's death

  • Later served a UK prison sentence for unrelated drug dealing offences

  • Remains free in the UK today


How Sizzle Club Failed That Night

The nightclub's security procedures came under heavy criticism in both the Sky News investigation and the accompanying documentary. Key failures included:


Poor crowd management: Security staff ejected only Matt's smaller group of eight, leaving them vulnerable on the street while allowing the larger, aggressive Essex group to follow them outside.


No police intervention: Despite an escalating situation, club staff failed to call police or keep the groups separated.


Missing evidence: CCTV hard drives were not secured immediately. When Greek police finally obtained footage, some recordings were mysteriously missing or had been overwritten.


Downplaying the incident: Staff reportedly told Greek police "nothing serious happened" – despite blood on the pavement and an air ambulance landing minutes later.

As Matt's brother Paul said in the documentary: "If the club had done its job and kept the groups inside separately, or called police straight away, Matt would still be here tucking his daughters into bed."


A Justice System That Failed at Every Step

The handling of Matt's case highlights serious concerns about how such incidents are investigated in popular party destinations:


Suspects allowed to flee: Key suspects and witnesses were permitted to fly home to the UK within days of the killing, before thorough investigations were completed.


Questionable confessions: Police took statements from Brownsdon and O'Brien in a hotel lobby without legal representation present. O'Brien's family claims he was confused and coerced.


Missing suspect never traced: Despite being clearly visible on multiple CCTV angles, the man in white shorts (William Locke) was never properly investigated by Greek authorities.


Four-year delay: The trial didn't take place until 2023 – four years after Matt's death. His family had to crowdfund over £30,000 to fly witnesses to Greece for the proceedings.


The Documentary Every Zante Visitor Should Watch

Sky News produced a powerful 30-minute documentary about Matt's case titled "One Punch Killed My Husband." The footage is difficult to watch but essential viewing for anyone planning a holiday to party destinations like Laganas.

The film includes:

  • The actual CCTV footage showing Matt trying to be a peacemaker

  • Charlotte Jeffery watching the punch for the first time and breaking down

  • Interviews with Matt's friends who held him as he died

  • Expert analysis of the facial recognition evidence

  • The family's ongoing fight for complete justice


Watch the documentary here:




One Punch Can Kill: The Medical Reality

Matt's death wasn't caused by the punch itself – it was caused by his head hitting the concrete kerb. This is the medical reality of "one-punch" deaths:

The human skull is remarkably resilient, but when the head accelerates toward the ground after a knockout blow, the impact force can be catastrophic. Even a relatively moderate punch can cause loss of consciousness, and the subsequent fall creates forces equivalent to being in a car crash.

Tragically, these deaths are preventable. They almost always involve:

  • Alcohol or drug consumption

  • Machismo and peer pressure

  • Crowded nightlife areas with poor security

  • Arguments that escalate in seconds


Staying Safe in Laganas: Lessons From Matt's Death

If you're heading to Laganas or any party destination in Zante, Greece, or beyond, Matt's story offers critical safety lessons:


Before You Go Out

Stick together: Agree that your group stays together, especially when moving between venues. Matt's group was separated inside Sizzle Club.

Know your limits: Excessive alcohol dramatically increases risk. Stay aware of your surroundings.

Choose venues carefully: Research clubs with professional security. At Zante Bible, we work with venues that prioritize guest safety.


During an Incident

Don't be a hero: Matt's instinct was to calm the situation, but sometimes the safest option is to walk away immediately.

Find staff or police: Don't try to handle aggressive groups yourself. Alert security or Greek police.

Get away from the road: Fights near kerbs, walls, or stairs are especially dangerous due to fall risks.


After Something Happens

Call emergency services: In Greece, dial 166 for ambulance and 100 for police.

Preserve evidence: If you witness an incident, take photos/videos and share them with authorities.

Get legal help immediately: If you're involved in any way, contact the British Consulate in Greece immediately (+30 210 727 2600).


Matt Jeffery: Remembering the Man, Not Just the Case

It's easy for stories like this to become about the legal battles, the suspects, the failures. But Matt Jeffery was a real person with a life that mattered.

He was an AA patrolman who helped stranded drivers. He was "the first number in everyone's phonebook" when they needed help. He was a devoted father to two little girls. He went to Zante for five days of fun with his mates, and he never came home.

In the documentary, his wife Charlotte shares the devastating moment she had to tell their daughters that Daddy wasn't coming back. His brother Paul describes how their family will never be whole again. His friends recount holding him on that Laganas street, praying for the ambulance to arrive faster.

Matt wasn't looking for trouble. He was trying to stop it. And in 19 seconds outside a club where security staff couldn't be bothered to do their job properly, he was killed.


The Fight for Justice Continues

As of 2025, Matt's family continues to push for complete justice:


Luke Brownsdon faces extradition to serve his 12-year sentence in Greece. His lawyers are fighting the extradition order.


Adam O'Brien maintains his innocence and his family campaigns to clear his name, arguing Greek police convicted the wrong person.


William Locke has never been charged, despite witness testimony and facial recognition evidence linking him to the initial violence that led to Matt's death.

Matt's family has spent over £30,000 on legal fees and travel costs. Their GoFundMe page remains active for those who wish to support their ongoing fight for justice:


Planning Your Zante Holiday? Make Safety Your Priority

At Zante Bible, we love Laganas. It's an incredible destination for young people seeking unforgettable party experiences. We work with the best venues, organize amazing events, and help thousands of visitors create memories that last a lifetime.

But Matt's story is a stark reminder that safety must always come first. One stupid argument, one moment of machismo, one punch in the wrong place – and lives are destroyed forever.

When you book with Zante Bible:

  • We partner with venues that maintain professional security standards

  • Our guides include safety information for every area of Zakynthos

  • We provide 24/7 support for any guests who need help

  • We advocate for better security practices across the Laganas strip


Further Reading and Sources

This article is based on extensive investigation by Sky News and supporting documentation:


Final Thought

If you're a parent waving your 18-year-old off to Zante this summer, sit them down and watch that 30-minute documentary together. If you're planning a lads' or girls' holiday to Laganas, Malia, or Magaluf, watch it with your group before you fly.

One punch really can kill. And sometimes the people who throw it walk free for years, while a family is left with a hole that will never be filled.

Matt Jeffery was trying to stop a fight. He died being a peacemaker. His wife is raising two daughters alone. His friends still have nightmares about that night. And six years later, complete justice still hasn't been served.


Rest in peace, Matt. The fight goes on.


Looking for the safest venues in Laganas? Check out our comprehensive guides to Zante's top nightclubs and staying safe on the Laganas strip.


Meta Description: Matt Jeffery was killed by a single punch outside a Laganas nightclub in 2019. Six years later, questions about justice remain. This is what happened – and what every Zante visitor should know.

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