Dad killed in Thailand bar while celebrating birthday party

A tragic detail has emerged in the case of an Aussie father who was allegedly killed while celebrating his birthday in Thailand.

Australian dad Peter Heppell (right) has died in Thailand after an alleged attack at his birthday party. Picture: Facebook

An Australian father who survived the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 has allegedly been stabbed to death in Thailand.

Peter Heppell was celebrating his 57th birthday at Melina’s Monkey House and Whale Bar in Krabi, east of Phuket, on Tuesday when the alleged attack occurred.

The Perth dad opened the bar and named it in honour of his six-month-old daughter Melina, who was swept from his arms during the tsunami.

Peter Heppell, 57, has died in Thailand while celebrating his birthday. Picture: Facebook

Friends and loved ones are flooding social media with emotional tributes to their “larger than life” friend after his shocking death.

His sister Karen said the family were “devastated” to share the news that his life had been “taken suddenly and violently”.

“Peter will be remembered as a larger than life character, who walked to the beat of his own drum and lived life to the fullest,” she said.

“He survived motor bike accidents and miraculously the Boxing Day tsunami.

“Peter loved his daughter Aly, the ocean, beer, footy and Thailand.

Mr Heppell (left) was ‘larger than life’. Picture: Facebook

“The family is so grateful that we were able to spend time with him recently. Now reunited with baby Melina. Our hearts are breaking.”

Mr Heppell’s friend Jeff Rowe said: “Lost a mate and a brother today. What is this world coming to.”

Friends have shared emotional tributes to Mr Heppell (right). Picture: Facebook

North Beach Football Club – with whom he won the 1990 premiership – shared a tribute to the man they said was a “character on and off the field”.

“(We are) saddened to learn about the passing of Peter Heppell,” the post read.

“Condolences to his family and friends. Rest in Peace.”

“I remember Peter as an electrifying wingman who always had a smile on his face or was laughing,” one person added in the comments.

“Bloody good bloke,” another said. “Absolute legend teammate and lifelong mate.”

Players from his football club remembered him as a ‘lifelong mate’. Picture: Facebook

He was also an original member of the Thailand Tigers Australian rules football team who said they were “deeply saddened” by the “tragic passing of Peter “Whale” Heppell”.

“Our thoughts are with his daughter Aly, his family and all his friends,” they said on Facebook.

“We all have such wonderful memories of Whale.

“As one of the original Tigers, he has been a great friend to Tigers old and new.

“His love for the Tigers was second only to that of his family.”

The venue next door to Mr Heppell’s restaurant, Jelly Nuts, invited friends over for a “quiet beer in remembrance” of the beloved local on Tuesday night.

Originally published as Dad killed in Thailand bar while celebrating birthday party