Gabrielle Barbus, 17, took his own life in December 2025 after struggling with mental health issues. His body has not been laid to rest due to a disagreement between his parents. Stefan Barbus, the father, is a Roman Orthodox Christian who believes burial is necessary for his son's soul and resurrection. Georgia Opritescu, the mother, has no such religious beliefs and wants Gabrielle cremated with ashes scattered in Devon. Stefan Barbus obtained an injunction in February preventing Georgia Opritescu from disposing of Gabrielle's body.
Judge Klein ruled that the available information pointed toward Gabrielle's own preference being for cremation. The judge said Stefan Barbus's proposal reflected his own religious convictions, not those of Gabrielle. According to the judge, Gabrielle was closer to his mother and brother than his father.
The reason why it is so important, the burial, is that he was baptised Christian orthodox. A burial respects the sanctity of the human body and soul and it is my belief that we will all one day be resurrected. That is why cremation is not acceptable as it destroys the body and is irreversible.
Stefan Barbus and Georgia Opritescu split up in 2010 when Gabrielle was two and divorced in 2013. Gabrielle lived with his mother and family in Hornchurch, east London.
Gabrielle was a budding photographer and keen goalkeeper. Stefan Barbus went to court after learning Georgia Opritescu obtained a grant of letters of administration without notice to him. Stefan Barbus said he did not want to attend a scattering ceremony as it would be distressing.
This is not just a duty, this is a way of respect to my child. I'm not here to win something. We already lost our child.
Mr Barbus, having fought for what he sees as Gabrielle's soul and lost... said that he didn't want to attend a scattering ceremony as that would be distressing for him.
It may be that the ashes are scattered in a particular place in Devon that was special to Gabrielle. If that is the case, I can only hope that Mr Barbus can have a measure of comfort if he knows where that happens and can visit that place to mourn.