Family’s desperate search for answers over stabbing death of Daniel Cockerill

Heartbroken family and friends of a man who was fatally stabbed in the chest are pleading for answers after his body was mysteriously dumped at Casey Hospital.

Daniel Cockerill was stabbed to death and mysteriously dropped at Casey Hospital. Picture: Supplied

Hearbroken family and friends of a man who was stabbed to death are pleading for answers after his body was mysteriously dumped at a Melbourne hospital.

Daniel Cockerill, 45, was stabbed in the chest and dropped at Casey Hospital in Berwick on March 26.

Police said a maroon Volvo sedan, carrying Mr Cockerill and two other men, drove into the ambulance emergency bay about 7.30am.

The driver got out and called for help from nearby paramedics before pulling an unconscious Mr Cockerill from the car.

Hospital staff began to treat Mr Cockerill as the driver got back into the car and fled the scene with his other passenger.

Mr Cockerill was worked on for about an hour before he tragically died.

A 40-year-old Port Melbourne man was arrested later that day but was released without charge.

It’s understood Mr Cockerill was loaning the Volvo while his car was being fixed.

Police released photos of the Volvo in hope someone could provide details about its movements on March 26.

Kylie Coulstock told the Herald Sun her friend, of almost 30 years, was a hard worker and a social butterfly.

“He was one of the most kind-hearted, caring, trusting people I knew,” she said

“He was an absolutely amazing man.”

She said she was devastated that no charges had been laid over his death.

“It’s been roughly two months now and there’s no end in sight,” Ms Coulstock said.

“There’s nothing, it doesn’t get easier.”

Ms Coulstock said she believed Mr Cockerill knew the men who dumped him at the hospital.

“The whole situation is weird, it doesn’t sound right to me,” she said.

“These other two people in the car had to have witnessed something, they would have had to be with him and if they weren’t, then why were they driving his car?”

It’s believed Mr Cockerill was loaning the Volvo at the time of his death.

Ms Coulstock said Mr Cockerill worked as a chef for most of his life but was employed as a store labourer at the time of his death.

She said his family were “absolutely distraught” over the investigation.

“Daniel was one of the most amazing people and it’s such a shame he’s not here and we don’t have a reason,” Ms Coulstock said.

“The truth deserves to be given to his family, they have put their family member to rest and they have no idea why he was taken.”

Mr Cockerill’s cousin, Amanda McIver, said he was like a brother to her.

“We are going to make sure there is justice,” she said

“Our family isn’t going to let this go, we want to make sure someone is charged for the crime.”

Homicide Squad detectives released CCTV images of the Volvo in the hope someone can provide details about its movements on March 26.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.