Australian survivor breaks silence on family's murder

It's the murder case that captivated Australia - an entire family brutally wiped out by one uncle.

Robert Xie bludgeoned and strangled five family members to death as they slept, but there was one survivor, Brenda Lin.

After eight years, Ms Lin has chosen to break her silence and reveal her torment and heartbreak.          

She was 15 and away on a school trip when her uncle Robert Xie slaughtered her parents, aunty and two brothers in their family home in 2009.

It was believed Xie was motivated by his perceived lowly status in the family.

But it's been revealed there was a sexual motive too.

Xie wanted access to Lin and his sexual abuse grew when he took her in as an orphan after her family's death.

Xie was this week handed five life sentences, one for each of the five family members he killed. He will never be released from jail.

His wife has always maintained his innocence, and continues to stand by him.

In a victim impact statement Ms Lin said: "As time goes on others may forget but I will have to live with the aftermath of the crime for the rest of my life."

"There are not enough words to describe the pain and suffering [he] caused me.

"I would give anything to have my family back.

"He was someone that I trusted...as a person who isn't a murderer."

Newshub.