In a shocking incident in Melbourne’s Hampton East, Spiros Filidis, a 46-year-old man with an intellectual disability, was allegedly stabbed to death in a random attack.
The incident occurred as he walked to the bus stop at the corner of Little Ave and Widdop Crescent around 12.30pm on Tuesday, according to Victoria Police.
Despite immediate CPR efforts, Filidis succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
“What we are living through is the worst nightmare for all parents. To lose their child. In fact, to murder their child.”
These were the first words of the grieving father, Anestis Filidis (Triantafyllidis), to Neos Kosmos about the death of his son that has deeply shaken our community.
Tragically, at the time of the fatal attack, Spiros’s parents, Anestis and Kaiti, passed by the crime scene.
“We were going to Oakleigh to buy Greek products, and I saw two police cars and an ambulance. I told my wife that it must have been a serious car accident. Little did I know…” Spiros’ father recalled.
Shortly after, he received a call from his daughter, Eve (Paraskevi), informing them that the police were at their home.
“We went home and learned the tragic news. Our world collapsed,” Mr Filidis, well-known in the community for his years as a footballer with “Nea Ellas” (Port Melbourne Sharks) told Neos Kosmos.
Filidis, known to frequent the Southland shopping area, was described by family and friends as a “happy soul” who “never got angry”.
Speaking to 9News his godmother, Christine Kounelis, expressed profound grief, highlighting his gentle nature and independence despite his disability.
“He wouldn’t fight back. He wouldn’t have known how to,” she remarked.
Having twice overcome cancer, Filidis was remembered as a lover of life, full of positivity.
“He was always happy, independent, even though he had a disability. I just keep thinking about how he was on his own, no one there, and he couldn’t defend himself,” an emotional Kounelis shared.
The tragic incident has left Filidis’s family and friends grappling with the loss. Kounelis acknowledged that while memories of him would endure, the pain of his alleged murder would take time to heal. “It’s not going to help me; we’re still going to miss this adorable boy,” she lamented.
“He was the life of the party, and we’ll always have a chair for him.”
Jim Massis, a family friend, also told Neos Kosmos that “Spiros was a kind, cheerful kid. He liked to sing Pontian and folk songs. He couldn’t harm a fly.”
The alleged assailant, a 27-year-old man, was apprehended in Moorabbin on Tuesday afternoon for unrelated offenses.
Victoria Police have since charged him with one count of murder in connection to the fatal attack.
The suspect was scheduled to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Victoria Police stated that the attack appears to be random, with no known connection between the victim and the alleged perpetrator.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers as the local community mourns the loss of Spiros Filidis, locals are demanding the “need for justice in the face of a senseless act”.
To report crime information confidentially call 1800 333 000
Note: Crime Stoppers is unable to offer emergency response services or assist victims of crime.
