Friends and family devastated and seeking answers for Scot Phillips’ alleged murder

The sister in-law of 19-year-old Scot Philips has told whoever killed her loved one to “rot in hell”, as the family still try to come to terms with the teen’s death on Tuesday night.

The sister in-law of a teenager stabbed to death in Adelaide’s west this week, says the entire family are devastated and seeking answers to who could have killed him.

19-year-old Scot Phillips was stabbed multiple times out the front of his Carey Ave home, in Seaton on Tuesday night, in what police have described as a pre-planned attack.

It comes as friends of the late teen told 7News that the teen had been kidnapped and received death threats in the days before his chilling alleged murder.

Alleged murder victim Scot Phillips. Major Crime officers and Western District Detectives are investigating a murder at Seaton last night, 10 September 2024 Photo supplied by family

Speaking to 7News on Thursday, a friend of Mr Phillips, Katelyn Tanner pleaded for the killer to hand themselves in.

“Since it’s happened. Every minute of the day we’ve been like, ‘Scotty, no, like, how has this happened’, you know, he deserved better than this,” she told 7News.

“Turn yourself in, you can’t get away from this forever.”

Mr Phillips was last seen by his family on Sunday night at family dinner, with his family completely shocked about his death two days later.

He died on Tuesday night, with emergency services called to the scene at 10.20pm, but despite the rapid response by ambulance officers, Mr Phillips died at the scene.

On Thursday, his sister in-law, Maddy Francis told 10 News First that the entire family were devastated and seeking answers.

Major Crime officers and Western District Detectives are investigating a murder at Seaton last night. 11th September 2024. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“It breaks everyone’s heart that we’ll never get to hear his voice again or see his big smile that would light up all the rooms,” she said.

“We’re all wondering why? People just want answers at this point. He didn’t deserve what happened to him.

“No one should die like that, it’s brutal. It’s disgusting, I hope you rot in hell.”

Ms Francis said she was unaware of any troubles throughout

A nearby resident told 10 News First that the area was a hotspot for crime and violence, and said she had also witnessed a stabbing and a woman being assaulted in the street.

“We’ve been warning that this is going to happen for a long time so, as sad as it is, it’s actually not surprising,” she said.

“Someone stabbed at the front of my house. I’ve had needles thrown in my yard, I’ve seen people get punched and knocked out. I’ve seen women being dragged by their hair.”

SA Police were on Wednesday night, looking for a man described as being tall, with an athletic build that tapers into a narrow waist, wearing dark coloured clothing with a dark face mask or balaclava, with a hoodie pulled over the top.

Investigators have appealed for anyone in the area at the time of the incident, or who may have relevant dashcam or CCTV footage, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.