Marrickville stabbing victim identified as popular rugby league player
Warning: graphic content
A man stabbed to death in Marrickville by a person believed to be known to him has been identified as Sitaleki Filihiahekava, a popular rugby league player from the city’s south.
Chaos erupted on Marrickville Road when a 32-year-old was stabbed and his attacker fled the scene following a “brief encounter” about 7.40pm on Monday.
The man stabbed to death in Marrickville has been identified as Sitaleki Filihiahekava.
As the area’s restaurants and fast-food shops bustled with the evening rush, Filihiahekava was left to die on the footpath outside Guzman y Gomez, a Mexican fast-food restaurant.
Police and ambulance paramedics performed CPR, but Filihiahekava could not be revived and died at the scene.
As police established a cordon, just moments after placing a sheet over the victim, a group of men rushed towards officers in an attempt to enter the crime scene.
A man was fatally stabbed on Marrickville Road in Marrickville. Credit: TNV
“It’s my f---ing brother,” one man yelled as officers dragged him away.
Emotions ran high as police struggled to hold the men back as the body of their loved one lay on the footpath.
A candle on the footpath outside Guzman y Gomez on Tuesday morning,
Police confirmed one man breached the crime scene.
“He was hysterical,” a local resident said. “He laid down next to his brother, crying and yelling.”
Two officers, in footage from the scene, pulled the man to his feet and dragged him away as a third officer brandished a Taser, which was not deployed, senior police confirmed.
Flowers from a friend were left at the scene on Tuesday morning grieving the loss of “Big Leki”.
Mascot Juniors stalwart Frank Cookson said the 32-year-old will be dearly missed.
“It is with sincere regret we advise the passing of one of our club’s players Sitaleki Filihiahekava last evening in terrible circumstances,” Cookson wrote.
“Leki was a well liked and respected integral member of our A Reserve grade premiership team two weeks ago where he performed admirably.
“To the extensive Filihiahekava family and Leki’s multitude of friends we express our deepest sympathy.
“RIP Leki your happy, friendly personality will be greatly missed.”
Police said the victim was known to police, but the identity of the alleged attacker is unknown. A male suspect was last seen running along Silver Street. However, police would not provide a description.
“We believe at this point that the two people met, and the attack was somewhat targeted, it was not random in nature,” Acting Superintendent Ben Kennis said.
Kennis described the scene as “highly emotive” and “confronting for police”.
A dozen officers spent the morning searching for evidence on Silver Street – in particular, a sharp weapon, perhaps a knife, that was used in the attack. They crawled into drains, under cars, and opened bins.
A slick of water ran down from Marrickville Road where the footpath had been hosed down. A small candle was burning on the point of damp concrete where the man died.
“Too many drugs, too many criminals,” one elderly resident of Silver Street told this masthead.
Anyone in the area at the time of the stabbing with dashcam or footage has been asked to contact Marrickville police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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