Derrimut stabbing: Young man found dead in Melbourne park turns out to be talented basketball player
A young man found dead with stab wounds in a Melbourne park turns out to be a talented basketball player.
Kioyom Athum, 28, was found in the early hours of Saturday morning in Balmoral Park in Derrimut, about 22km west of the CBD.
Emergency services tried to resuscitate him, but he died at the scene around 4:30 a.m.
Mr Athum played forward-guard for Goldbackz in the semi-professional Melbourne Basketball League.
On Saturday, two visibly distraught women visited the crime scene and repeatedly shouted, “Let me see him one more time,” Herald Sun defeated.
Police attempted to comfort the pair but directed them away from the awning covering the 28-year-old’s body.
Victoria Police Detective Constable Dean Thomas said Mr Athum was last seen by his sister at around 9pm in the Derrimut area.
It is believed he was in the company of four other men.
Basketball player Kioyom Athum, 28, has been identified as the man found dead early Saturday morning at Balmoral Park in Melbourne’s west
Inspector Thomas said homicide squad detectives were still trying to piece together Mr Athum’s movements between 9pm and 4.20am.
There are no known ties between the talented basketball player and gang members.
Parts of Balmoral Park were cordoned off with police tape on Saturday, while a billboard concealed Mr Athum’s body from public view.
According to researchers, ‘multiple knives’ were found in the park.
Detective Inspector Thomas said the knives needed to be forensically examined to determine whether they were connected to the suspected stabbing.
Police also tried to determine whether the group of men who called them to the scene of the crime had any connection to Mr Athum.
“We’re trying to find out what connection they have to the deceased. We believe there may have been other people in the park at the time who may have run away,” Inspector Thomas said.
Police were seen combing the area around the stabbing, with one officer saying several knives were found nearby
An SES marquee was set up in Balmoral Park to shield Mr Athum’s body from the public
Saturday morning, detectives were seen knocking on doors on Lennon Parkway.
Inspector Thomas urged anyone with information to come forward.
“We are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time, drove through, walked past etc. and saw anything suspicious,” he said.
“We have spoken to local police and they will be carrying out extra patrols in the area. So residents can expect to see more police presence in the area in the coming days.”
If you have any information please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
