Homicide squad takes over hunt for Easter Show killer, vision could solve mystery

Police believe teenager Uati Faletolu’s killer may have been ‘unknowingly captured’ on film as specialist detectives take over the case.

The investigation into the violent murder of teenager Uati Faletolu at the Easter Show has escalated with homicide squad detectives taking charge of the case.

The 17-year-old working at the Easter Show carnival was targeted in the brawl that ended in the stabbing and his eventual death en route to the hospital around 8pm on Monday, April 11.

Forensic officers examined the crime scene but have yet to find significant clues leading them in the direction of the killer.

The homicide squad, along with local police, are now turning their attention to video of the incident, calling on witnesses to submit their vision to Crime Stoppers.

Homicide Squad boss Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said investigators were working meticulously through hours of CCTV and other vision to identify those involved in the incident.

Uati "Pele" Faletolu’s killer remains on the loose more than a week after he was brutally killed during a break from his part-time job at the Easter Show. Picture: Supplied

“Of the vision we have already reviewed, we know there was a significant amount of people filming the incident, many of whom have not yet supplied the vision to police,” Superintendent Doherty said.

“In our experience, it is likely that someone – or many people – has unknowingly captured a clear shot of something of relevance to the investigation.”

He said investigators were struggling for information from Mr Faletolu’s friends and associates, believing it was “misguided by loyalties or fear of retribution”.

“At this stage there has been a lack of co-operation and assistance and it’s disappointing and its frustrating,” Superintendent Doherty told a press conference on Tuesday morning.

He noted the families of those involved were trying to be as supportive to police as they could be while grieving the loss of a child.

The homicide squad is confident the killer was filmed. Photo: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Police are looking into whether the stabbing death is linked to postcode gang violence in Western Sydney.

Mr Faletolu’s friends told police they believed the attackers were from the rival postcode of Mt Druitt (2770).

Uati, 17, has since been linked to the Doonside gang known as 67 for its postcode 2767.

Police have questioned his friends to establish if he and his killer knew each other or whether it was a spontaneous fight.

Detectives have appealed to anyone who was in the carnival area at the time of the brawl and hasn’t yet spoken to police to come forward.

Mr Faletolu with girlfriend Taylor Piliae. He was set to become a dad. Picture: Instagram

“If you know something, say something. It only takes a moment to make a confidential call to Crime Stoppers; what you know could make a difference,” Superintendent Doherty said.

Videos and images can be uploaded to the Crime Stoppers website or dropped into a local police station.