One punch victim Jaiden Walker dies after fatal assault outside Melbourne club
A NIGHT out on the town with friends ended in tragedy after Werribee man Jaiden Walker was allegedly punched and killed by an acquaintance. His family says he “wouldn’t hurt a fly”.
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A MAN killed after an alleged one-punch attack while partying with friends has been remembered as a “gentleman” who “wouldn’t hurt a fly”.
Jaiden Walker, 22, from Werribee, last week lost his fight for life after he was allegedly punched by an acquaintance after leaving CBD nightclub Cherry Bar before midnight on May 6.
His shattered family and friends gathered at his funeral on Saturday.
Jaiden’s father, Jon Walker, told the Sunday Herald Sun his son was the happiest he had been in years before his “senseless” death.
He said Jaiden “had a hard time in his late teens”, but was turning his life around.
“He was finally happy,” his dad said.
“He was trying to get himself sorted ... working every shift he could, buying a car and sharing his thoughts and love with me.”
Days after his son died, Mr Walker made a heartbreaking find.
“I had a look through his room and found a diary next to his bed. Each day he would write in it things like ... Have a good healthy breakfast, clean your car, work harder, make enough money to travel,” he said.
“It broke my heart.”
Mr Walker said he and his son would bond during camping and motorcycle trips.
“We recently went out on a large group ride and he couldn’t quite keep up with us so the very next weekend he went out and bought himself a brand new Triumph,” Mr Walker said.
“It was the new love of his life. Unfortunately I never got a chance to go on another ride with him.”
Jaiden’s alleged killer, Richard Vincec, 26, of Ocean Grove, told police he hit Jaiden after he refused to shake his hand. He has been remanded on charges of manslaughter, intentionally causing serious injury and drug possession.
Mr Walker said his son’s death has left his family, including mum Heidi and little brother Ethan, 15, lost.
“The senseless loss of young lives just simply should not be happening,” he said.
“He had his whole life ahead of him.”
Jaiden’s parents discovered their son had been admitted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital’s ICU hours after the punch, which caused his head to make a “deafening cracking sound” on the pavement.
They were worried, but had no idea they would lose their “gently spoken” son.
“We thought we’d just go in, clean him up and take him home. We were wrong,” said Mr Walker.
“For the next four horrible days we sat with our lifeless little boy, holding his hand, waiting for him to wake up. But he never did,” Mr Walker said.
“I am sad. I am angry. I am disappointed. This should never have happened.”
“I am very proud of my son and know that I raised him as a gentleman. Just as my father did me.
“Someone took this away from me — and they will pay.”
Emotional tributes flowed on social media after Jaiden lost his fight on 11 May.
“He was without a doubt the nicest and happiest person I’ve ever met. I feel like the greatest part of me has vanished,” a close friend wrote on Facebook.
Mr Vincec has been charged with manslaughter, intentionally causing serious injury and drug possession charges.
The Ocean Grove man has been remanded in custody.