More arrests after Sitaleki Filihiahekava stabbed to death in Sydney street

There’s been a major update after a 32-year-old was stabbed to death on a Sydney street, with police describing it as a ‘highly emotive’ scene.

Several more people have been charged following the fatal stabbing of Sitaleki “Leki” Filihiahekava in Sydney’s inner west.

Mr Filihiahekava, 32, was stabbed to death outside the Guzman Y Gomez on Marrickville Rd in Marrickville about 7.40pm on September 23.

Mr Filihiahekava couldn’t be resuscitated with CPR and was declared dead at the scene.

A 31-year-old man was arrested in Concord in September before he was charged with murder at Burwood Police Station.

He remains before the court.

Sitaleki Filihiahekava was stabbed to death in September. Picture: Facebook.

He was stabbed outside the Guzman Y Gomez on Marrickville Road. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

NSW Police have provided an updated, saying a 55-year-old woman was arrested at a Harrow Road home in Bexley about 7.30am on Wednesday.

She was taken to Kogarah Police Station and charged with accessory after the fact to murder, and was granted conditional bail.

She’s set to front the Sutherland Local Court on November 26.

Another two women, aged 29 and 62, were arrested at a Diadem Lane property in Lismore about 9am Wednesday.

They were both taken to Lismore Police Station where the 29-year-of was charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

She was refused bail and is set to front Lismore Local Court on Thursday.

The 62-year-old woman was charged with conceal serious indictable offence.

Mr Filihiahekava was reportedly having dinner with his family before he was stabbed. Facebook

She was granted conditional bail and is set to front Lismore Local Court on December 2.

NSW Police Acting Superintendent Ben Kennis earlier said people were “highly emotive” at the scene following Mr Filihiahekava’s death.

“Again, I’ll say it was highly emotive. A Taser was drawn; however, it was not deployed,” Superintendent Kennis said.

“Confronting for police and emergency services as you can imagine. This is 7.40pm, peak dinner time on Marrickville Rd, lots of restaurants, lots of businesses, licensed premises in the area.

“To have this happen on Marrickville Rd, or anywhere, is unacceptable. Knife crime is unacceptable.”

Flowers and tributes were laid outside the Guzman Y Gomez in the days following Mr Filihiahekava’s death. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

A heartbreaking note was left outside the Guzman Y Gomez. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

A man from Mr Filihiahekava’s rugby league club had described him as a “well liked and respected integral member” of the club.

“It is with sincere regret we advise the passing of one of our club’s players Sitaleki Filihiahekava last evening in terrible circumstances,” the man wrote.

“Leki was a well liked and respected integral member of our A reserve grade premiership team two weeks ago where he performed admirably.

“To the extensive Filihiahekava family and Leki’s multitude of friends we express our deepest sympathy.

“RIP Leki, your happy, friendly personality will be greatly missed.”

Flowers and tributes were also laid outside the restaurant following his death.

“Forever grateful for all those nights when I was sleeping on Jordan’s couch and thought I had nothing left but you showed me how much I had to live for,” one heartbreaking note read.

“Going to miss soo much lad,” another read

Originally published as More arrests after Sitaleki Filihiahekava stabbed to death in Sydney street