Tributes for Alexis Vikatos, 3, allegedly stabbed to death by dad, Nathan

Devastated relatives of a toddler allegedly murdered by his dad in a Riverwood unit say he had already suffered by losing his mother to an illness when he was just 12 months old.

A little boy allegedly stabbed to death by his father was an “angel in life and in death”, his distraught family says.

Alexis Vikatos, 3, was found dead in the bathroom of a relative’s unit in Riverwood in Sydney’s south on Wednesday afternoon, allegedly suffering fatal knife wounds.

Police said his father Nathan Vikatos, 45, was discovered in another room bleeding heavily from self-inflicted knife injuries, and rushed to hospital for treatment.

He was later charged with the child’s murder and refused bail.

Alexis Vikatos, 3, who was found dead in a unit at Riverwood last Thursday. His father Nathan Vikatos, 45, has been charged with the child’s murder. Picture: Supplied

Devastated family members – including his legal guardian who gave The Daily Telegraph permission to name and picture the child – said Alexis was a “beautiful, happy boy” who struggled after losing his mother when he was only a baby.

“What has happened is just tragic ... but we don’t want it to overshadow what a beautiful boy Alexis was,” a relative said.

Nathan Vikatos and Jessica Marett with their son Alexis. Vikatos raised the child after Ms Marett died from an illness when Alexis was a baby. Picture: Supplied

“He was always happy ... he loved trucks and diggers ... we are all heartbroken.”

Alexis’ mum Jessica Marett died from an illness when he was 12-months-old, leaving Vikatos to raise the boy with the help of his mother and the Central Coast community where the father and son lived.

Elizabeth Risbridger, who formed a close bond with “Lexi” when she regularly babysat him, said she was “broken” by his death.

Ms Risbridger said the boy suffered from some speech delay which she helped him to overcome, and they would spend hours together playing at the beach or with her dog Bonnie.

Forensic police enter the Riverwood apartment block where a three-year-old boy was found dead. Picture: Adam Yip

“He called me Mum ... he excelled at speaking and confidence whilst I babysat him,” she said.

“Alexis, I’m so sorry darling boy ... I loved babysitting you.”

Vikatos left the Central Coast about eight weeks ago and moved to Medlow Bath in the Blue Mountains. Ms Risbridger said she had not seen the pair since they left, and only learned of Alexis’ horrific death through the media.

“I just wish I could have done more,” she said.

Just hours before Alexis’ body was found, Vikatos’ current partner had contacted NSW Police claiming he had been violent towards her at his Blue Mountains home.

It is understood the couple had been involved in an altercation in the days before the alleged murder, and Vikatos took the child and went to stay with his aunt in Riverwood.

Police were in the process of trying to contact Vikatos about the domestic violence allegations his partner made, when they received the Triple-0 call to his aunt’s unit.

Vikatos was taken to St George Hospital where he underwent surgery on Thursday morning, before he was later charged with his son’s murder.

The NSW Police Homicide Squad is investigating the alleged murder, while Alexis’ guardian and relatives make plans for his funeral.