Kioyom Athum found dead at Balmoral Park, Derrimut

Floral tributes and a lone basketball have been left at the park in Melbourne’s west where a dedicated young basketballer was stabbed to death.

Floral tributes have been laid at the scene where a talented Melbourne basketballer was slain, as his killers remain on the run.

Kioyom Athum died after he was found with stab wounds at Balmoral Park in Derrimut on Saturday.

Kioyom Athum was fatally stabbed at a park in Derrimut. Picture: Instagram

Paramedics attempted to revive the 28-year-old but he died at the scene about 4.30am.

Mr Athum was a dedicated basketball player for the Goldbackz in the Melbourne Basketball League.

Flower petals could be seen strewn across the ground at the park on Sunday morning, with bouquets and a lone basketball also paying tribute to the 28-year-old.

Just metres away, a children’s soccer match was being played.

Floral tributes and a basketball at Balmoral Park where Kioyom Athum was fatally stabbed. Picture: Brandon Demura

Petals were strewn across the oval on Sunday morning. Picture: Brandon Demura

Elvir Malkic, co-founder of Balmoral FC, said Mr Athum’s death was a “big shock to the community”.

“For a tragedy to happen like this on or home turf is very disturbing for everyone involved in our club,” he said.

“It’s a tragedy, it doesn’t matter that this person was not involved in our club, it’s very sad.”

Sundays matches are still going ahead on the field where Mr Athum was killed with children running over the spot he was found.

Brimbank Council approved Sunday’s matches after consultation with the club “for the greater community and the kids”.

“We were allowed to go ahead with the games today with 10 to 12 junior games and the senior women’s team playing,” Mr Malkic said.

About 200 children are set to compete at Balmoral Park over the course of the day.

Police at the scene in Balmoral Park in Derrimut. Picture: David Crosling

Victoria Police Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said officers found several knives in the park.

“I believe several knives have been found in the area,” he said.

“Are they connected to this? They’ll need to be forensically examined to determine whether they are linked to this incident.”

Detective Inspector Thomas said Mr Athum’s sister last saw him in the Derrimut area about 9pm.

“He was in the company of four other men at the time,” he said.

“We’re trying to piece together (his) movements between 9pm and 4.20am this morning.”

On Saturday, two visibly distressed women visited the crime scene and were repeatedly shouting “just let me see him one more time”.

Kioyom Athum was a talented basketballer. Picture: Instagram

Grief-stricken loved ones at the scene. Picture: David Crosling

Police were seen consoling the pair, steering them away from the marquee covering Mr Athum’s body.

Det. Insp. Thomas said police were called to the scene by a group of males but it’s unclear whether they were associated with Mr Athum.

“We’re trying to find out what connection they have to the deceased,” he said.

“We believe there may have been other people present in the park at the time who may have run off.”

Paramedics were unable to revive Mr Athum. Picture: David Crosling

Police search the park and surrounding areas. Picture: David Crosling

A crime scene has been established. Picture: David Crosling

Premier Jacinta Allan offered her condolences to Mr Athum’s family in light of the “disturbing” reports surrounding the 28-year-old’s death.

“My thoughts are with the family who’ve lost a beautiful member of their family in what appears to be incredibly tragic and disturbing circumstances,” Ms Allan said.

Unable to comment on the investigation directly, the Premier said the state government was doing all it could to stamp out “knife issues” in communities around Melbourne.

“We are absolutely supporting Victoria Police with more police officers, more tools and more resources to support community safety,” she said.

Det. Insp. Thomas said officers would continue to search for potential weapons as part of their investigations.

He issued a plea for anyone with any information to come forward.

“We’re appealing for anybody that was in the area at the time, driving through, walking nearby etc that saw anything suspicious,” he said.

“We’ve spoken with local police and they’re putting further patrols out in the area, so residents should expect to see more police in the area over the coming days.”

Homicide Squad detectives were seen knocking on doors at Lennon Parkway on Saturday morning.

Sections of Balmoral Park were cordoned off with police tape, and an SES marquee shielded Mr Athum’s body from public view.

Det. Insp. Thomas said it appeared he had no connection to gang links.

He was also not known to police.

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