‘His absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives’

A dad randomly stabbed to death while fishing has been remembered as a “wonderful person, a friend and a seafarer”.

Father of three Andres Pancha was stabbed to death on Frankston Pier on Saturday morning.

Family members of Andres Pancha have rallied to remember the Filipino father after he was randomly stabbed to death on Frankston pier.

Under the cover of anonymity, two members of Mr Pancha’s family spoke to media on Monday to share their grief following his death.

They said no one deserved the “tragedy” that has afflicted their family, adding they were only left with the memory of the “loving” father of three.

“His absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives,” one family member told 7News.

“We are very grateful for the outpouring of support.”

Mr Pancha’s relatives have thanked people for the support after the stabbing.

Mr Pancha, 45, was allegedly struck down by 36-year-old homeless man Forrest Stevenson just before dawn on Sunday. Mr Stevenson was arrested and charged with one count of murder before facing Melbourne Magistrates Court later that day.

Family members said Mr Pancho was a keen fisherman who was a “walking sunshine” to everyone he knew.

“He was a wonderful person, a friend and a seafarer,” they said.

“He loved his fishing.”

Mourners were seen coming and going from the pier on Monday, placing floral tributes and notes on the wooden benches along the boardwalk.

Glen Cooper, who runs peninsula-based That’s The Thing About Fishing charity, said his volunteers and other community members were organising a vigil at Frankston pier for Mr Pancha this 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.”