Authorities are searching for two men involved in a fatal assault in Wyndham Vale that resulted in the death of a young Melbourne man.
It is believed that Natan Mwanza, 24, was aboard a bus in Wyndham Vale when two men boarded and sat in front of him. They initiated a conversation, which escalated into an assault that moved from the bus to the nature strip outside.
“Unfortunately, the victim was stabbed and assaulted, which led to his death,” said Detective Inspector Dean Thomas.
A woman, who wished to remain anonymous, witnessed the incident. “I saw three boys, one was lying on the ground while the others were kicking him,” she said. “At first, I thought they were just playing, but then I noticed a knife.”
The woman immediately called emergency services, and after the attackers fled, she provided assistance until help arrived. “It was too late. They said they couldn’t do anything,” she recalled. “It was horrifying. It’s scary to think something like this could happen here.”
Mwanza, from Werribee, worked as a model, and his agency, Priscillas, expressed their deep sorrow. “We are heartbroken by the loss of Natan, who was a truly kind and gentle soul. Our heartfelt condolences go to his family.”
On social media, his sister shared her grief, saying, “You didn’t just take my brother; you took a piece of me.”
The police have yet to determine the motive behind the attack or whether the assailants knew the victim. Detective Inspector Thomas mentioned that local patrols in Wyndham Vale have been increased due to the danger posed by the suspects. “These individuals are dangerous, as demonstrated by their willingness to commit such a crime,” he said.
The suspects are described as two men of Asian appearance, last seen walking east along Vaughan Chase in Wyndham Vale. One was wearing a white t-shirt, dark blue jeans, and sneakers, while the other wore dark clothing, possibly a puffer jacket.
This incident follows another stabbing death in Wyndham Vale just a month earlier, where a 24-year-old man was also killed nearby.
Anyone with information is urged to contact CrimeStoppers at 1800 333 000.