Dad of three Andres Pancha identified as fisherman fatally stabbed in Frankston
The 45-year-old Cranbourne North fisherman who was allegedly fatally stabbed by Forrest Stevenson has been identified as dad of three Andres Pancha.
Victoria
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A loving father of three who was randomly stabbed to death while fishing at Frankston pier has been remembered as a “happy soul”.
Devastated family and friends gathered to console each other at the home of Cranbourne North dad Andres Pancha, 45, on Sunday, after his life was savagely taken by a stranger shortly before dawn on Saturday.
The Filipino father was fishing at his regular spot when allegedly set upon by homeless man Forrest Stevenson, 36.
Mr Stevenson promotes himself online as an amateur artist and tattoos his own body.
A steady stream of mourners arrived yesterday to support Mr Pancha’s wife and children at their home in a quiet suburban cul-de-sac.
“Still young and already gone, RIP Andres Pancha. We will miss you,” said family friend Tc Cor Glover.
Mr Pancha was a regular at Frankston pier, fishing there once or twice a week.
Glenn Cooper, who runs the peninsula-based That’s The Thing About Fishing charity, described his death as “devastating” and “senseless”.
“He was always happy and my volunteers would speak to him while he was fishing,” Mr Cooper said.
“He would go fishing there (at the pier) at least once or twice a week; it’s a terrible loss.
“He’ll be missed as a regular at the Frankston Pier.”
Mr Cooper said his charity volunteers and other community members were organising a vigil at Frankston Pier for Mr Pancha this coming Saturday morning at 7am.
“We are doing this to commemorate Mr Pancha,” Mr Cooper said.
“We want to get the fishing community involved as well as the wider community.
“We also want to talk about the safety of Frankston as we want people to feel safe in their local community.
“I’ve contacted all of the local MPs and the Mayor to ask them to come along.”
The motive for the deadly stabbing is unknown.
Police said Mr Pancha and Mr Stevenson were not known to each other.
Wearing a disposable face mask and T-shirt, the accused killer appeared lucid as he faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday charged with a single count of murder.
The court was told that pathology reports and DNA testing would take about 12 weeks to complete.
Mr Stevenson promotes himself on Facebook as an amateur artist, even using his own body as a canvas.
He has shared videos online that reveal him tattooing his body with mythological creatures and tribal designs.
Acting Premier Ben Carroll on Sunday offered his condolences to Mr Pancha’s family.
“This is a horrific crime that has occurred,” he said.
“This seems to have been an incredibly harrowing incident that occurred at the pier.
“It’s a very difficult time. Someone that’s literally just gone out to do a recreational activity that they love and enjoy, and to have a death is really so sad.”
Frankston Mayor Nathan Conroy defended the safety of the foreshore and surrounds in the wake of the alleged stranger killing.
“Frankston is a peaceful, vibrant and inclusive community,” Mr Conroy said.
“My thoughts are with the family of the victim.”
Mr Stevenson was remanded to reappear in court on November 6.
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