Spiros Filidis killed in Hampton East as he walked to catch a bus for an outing at Southland

A 46-year-old man who was fatally stabbed while walking to catch a bus was a gentle man who lived with an intellectual disability and had twice beaten cancer, his grieving relatives say.

Police officers investigating the death of a man in Hampton East. Picture: Josie Hayden

The man who was fatally stabbed in Melbourne’s southeast on his way to the shops has been remembered as a “beautiful soul” by his heartbroken family.

Spiros Filidis, 46, died in an a random attack as he walked to catch a bus for an outing at Southland on Tuesday,

Investigators believe there is no link between Mr Filidis and the 27-year-old man charged with his murder.

Shocked family members said he was a gentle man who had twice beaten cancer over the years and lived with an intellectual disability.

Hampton East murder victim Spiros Filidis.

Spiros Filidis was found on the side of the road. Picture: Josie Hayden

SES crews were at the scene on Tuesday night. Picture: Josie Hayden

Spiros’ devastated sister, Eve, said he had the “greatest love for life” as she struggled to come to terms with the loss of her brother.

“Our beloved Spiros was a beautiful soul who touched the lives of all who knew him,” she said.

“His kindness and gentleness brought much light into our lives and the world.

“His warmth, generosity and lovingly humorous nature was unlike any other. He had the greatest love for life, always living each moment to the fullest.

“His presence lit up the room, wherever he went. Our hearts are broken. He will be forever lovingly missed.”

His godmother Christine Kounelis said he was the life of the party and would hurt no one.

“He wouldn’t fight back. He wouldn’t have known how to,” she told Seven News.

“I still don’t believe it. I still don’t want to believe it.” Mr Filidis died on the corner of Little Ave and Widdop Crescent about 2.30pm, despite the efforts of emergency services to save him.

Spiros' family say their "hearts are broken". Picture: Supplied

A 27-year-old man, from Moorabbin, who was already in police custody over unrelated charges, was charged with his murder on Thursday.

He will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

A Victoria Police statement said the attack was believed to be random

“At this stage, police do not believe the parties were known to each other,” the statement said.

Stef, who was walking his dogs in the area on Tuesday, said he saw the deceased man laying partly on the road and nature strip as emergency crews arrived.

“I saw two police officers attending to a person who was lying face down with his torso on the road and from the waist down he was on the nature strip,” he told the Herald Sun.

“There was a lady there as well … I assume she was the one who found the person and alerted emergency services.

“The paramedics attended to the person and with the help of the police, they dragged him onto the road to perform CPR.

“Due to the height of the nature strip there – and because the person’s feet were near a driveway crossing – I thought the person had tripped and landed awkwardly and knocked themselves out.

“When the police and paramedics turned him over and laid him onto his back on the road there were no visible injuries and no visible blood stains on him or around him that I could see.”

Investigators were quick to establish a crime scene, using police cars and tape to cordon off a section of Widdop Crescent, between the corners of Little Ave and Cooke Ave.

Crews were seen examining various pieces of evidence on the street, having set up marquees and tarps.

Witnesses are being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.