Balin Stewart death: Dad’s incredible message after alleged murder

The father of much-loved Sunshine Coast teen Balin Stewart who was allegedly stabbed to death by another boy has shared an incredible message of empathy towards his son’s alleged killer.

The father of a much-loved Sunshine Coast teen allegedly stabbed to death outside his home says he holds “no malice” towards the boy accused of killing his son.

Buddina dad Michael Stewart said the death of his son Balin, 16, late Thursday, January 20, was a split-second, life-changing event.

Police claim a fight outside Balin’s Iluka Ave, Buddina home took a tragic turn just after 11pm when a 17-year-old boy allegedly stabbed Balin in the torso.

Family, neighbours and paramedics tried desperately to save the popular Sunshine Coast Grammar School Year 11 student’s life but he died at the scene.

“I hold absolutely no malice towards the other kid,” Mr Stewart said.

“Both kids are good kids.”

Mr Stewart said the boy, 17, who was charged with murder was distraught after the incident.

The alleged stabber – who was known to Balin – rang the police and ambulance immediately after the alleged incident.

Tributes have flooded in over the past few days for Balin as shattered friends from all over the Sunshine Coast tried to make sense of his death.

Mr Stewart said “hundreds of kids” had been through their home in the past few days to pay their respects and mourn the loss of their mate.

“My son was pretty well-loved,” Mr Stewart said.

Mr Stewart said he and his wife Kerri-Lyn and Balin’s older siblings, brother Jacob and sister Rebecca had been shown a massive amount of support since the tragedy.

“It’s one day at a time. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions,” Mr Stewart said.

“It’s just hard to fathom that he’s no longer here.”

Much-loved Sunshine Coast Grammar School student Balin Stewart, centre with hat, was a great friend to many. Tributes have poured out since his tragic death on Thursday, January 20.

Mr Stewart said one of the teens that had visited their home in the past week told him Balin was “the only one who used to talk to me”.

“That just flattened me,” Mr Stewart said.

“He was an incredibly caring sort of guy. He’d take people under his wing.”

Mr Stewart said Balin’s quirky sense of humour, laid back nature and infectious laugh had been common threads among his son’s friends this week as they gathered to share their memories.

The former Buddina Primary School student spent time at Kawana State High School but had been due to start Year 11 back at Sunshine Coast Grammar School this year.

Mr Stewart said his son had harboured ambitions to become a trader as the stock exchange had excited him and was already dipping into the world of cryptocurrency before his death.

“He was a bright kid, very smart and always had good grades,” Mr Stewart said.

Detectives this week described Balin and his alleged attacker as “clean skins” and said the incident had devastated two families.

Sunshine Coast Child Protection and Investigation Unit officer in charge Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Hurst said the pair had allegedly arranged to meet over social media when the altercation turned fatal.

The boy, 17, had his matters heard on Friday, January 21 in Maroochydore Childrens Court, with his matters adjourned until March 30.

No application for bail was made and police will allege the dispute was over “past relationships”.

Balin Stewart, 16, is being remembered as a kind-hearted, caring young man. Balin is pictured here with his parents Michael and Kerri-Lyn.

Mr Stewart said he’d spoken to friends of Balin’s this week and implored them not to take matters into their own hands and said the accused needed to be supported as well in light of the tragedy.

Mr Stewart said he hoped something positive could come from his son’s death and he would fight to try and rid the youth culture of today of the need to carry a knife.

He said his son would want people to “think of the positive”, to carry each other through their grief and help make the Sunshine Coast a safer place.

“It’s pretty heartwarming as a parent to know that so many kids thought he was an important linchpin of their social circles,” Mr Stewart said.

Funeral arrangements were being made with a service expected to take place next week, with details to be finalised.