Sitaleki Filihiahekava, A 32-Year-Old Tongan Origin Rugby Player, Was Fatally Stabbed.
Sitaleki Filihiahekava, 32-year-old, was tragically robbed of his life on 23 September in a senseless act of violence, which left his community and loved ones devastated.
A Sydney-based rapper, 31-year-old, has been charged for allegedly sta*bing Filihiahekava outside a fast food restaurant Guzman Gomez located in Marrickville Road.
Highlights
- Sitaleki Filihiahekava, who was fatally stabbed, was a gifted Rugby league player.
- The 32-year-old passed away at the scene at about 7:30 pm on Monday after allegedly being attacked.
- Shortly after the alleged attack, family and friends of Sitaleki gathered at the location where the incident took place.
The authorities arrested the suspect, Jacob Tammer-Spence, on Wednesday evening and charged him with mu-der.
The suspect was taken into custody at Concord. He was taken to Burwood Police Station and charged.
On Thursday, when he made a brief appearance before the Burwood Local Court, his lawyer did not submit an application for bail on his behalf.
Sitaleki Filihiahekava Was Of Tongan Origin
Sitaleki Filihiahekava, who tragically lost his life on Monday after allegedly being stabbed, was of Tongan origin.
In addition, the victim was also a rugby league player. He wore the number 10 for the Mascot Juniors Rugby League.
The club paid tribute to the former player. They wrote on social media,
“Leki was a much loved player of our club who played with his heart on his sleeve (and always with a joke and a smile), every time he took the field with those he called his brothers.”
Mascot Juniors Rugby league club
The gifted rugby player’s sudden passing has shocked the community and left them devastated.
Shortly after the tragic incident, the victim’s family, relatives, friends, and mourners held a vigil outside the Guzman y Gomez eatery.
Flowers left at the scene had cards with heartfelt messages. One tribute to Big Leki simply said, “Rest in peace, my brother.”
Filihiahekava was reportedly having dinner at a restaurant. After he left, he briefly met another man (the suspect). Shortly after, the 32-year-old was allegedly stabbed.
Paramedics found him unconscious on the sidewalk. Despite their best efforts to save him, they couldn’t.
Acting Superintendent Ben Kennis described the crime scene as very emotional.
He also shared that two men, the victim and suspect, knew one another, and the attack seemed to be “somewhat targeted, it was not random in nature.”
Furthermore, the acting Superintendent also mentioned that Sitaleki was already known to the police. However, he refrained from sharing any more details about why.
The police are also investigating whether the tragic incident is linked to organized crime.
This is because the victim was reportedly associated with Dejan “Danny the Serb” Radulovic, a known gang figure who was ki*led in 2023.
However, the precise details that led to the heartbreaking incident are yet to be made public.
Kennis added,
“It is too early to say if they arranged it…It was clear they did know each other.”
Additional Information
- Sitaleki Filihiahekava murder suspect Jacob Tammer-Spence is set to reappear in court on 20 November 2024.
- The suspect raps under the stage name Snoee Badman and is based in Sydney.
- The details about his parents and other family members are yet to be revealed.
