Teen accused of fatally stabbing Reid Ludwig to spend Christmas in jail

The teen accused of fatally stabbing father-of-two Reid Ludwig has appeared in a closed court on a charge of murder.

THE teenager accused of murdering Taroona father Reid Ludwig will spend Christmas behind bars with his next court appearance scheduled in February.

The 16-year-old, of Blackmans Bay, pleaded not guilty to one count of murder on Monday at his first appearance in the Hobart Magistrates Court, which was closed to the media and the public.

The teen cannot be identified under Tasmanian law.

He was remanded in custody and his case was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.

He is scheduled to appear next at 2.15pm on February 3.

The high school student is accused of attacking Mr Ludwig with a knife in front of his young family about 2.50pm on Sunday.

Mr Ludwig was returning a trailer to the Coles Express petrol station in Blackmans Bay when he was allegedly stabbed during a minor altercation.

The father-of-two later died in the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Tributes continue to flow for fatally stabbed man Reid Ludwig.

It is a tragedy that has left the southern Hobart region shocked, with Mr Ludwig’s friends and other community members continuing to share their grief online.

TRAGIC END FOR DEVOTED DAD OF TWO

One woman, who wrote on Facebook about how she had holidayed with Mr Ludwig and his family, described his death as the “saddest news”.

“We were in shock,” the post said.

“You hear about incidents but never think it’s your friends. We always enjoyed your company and sense of humour and adventure. You will be sadly missed.

“We can only hope that justice will be served.”

Another man who went to Hutchins School with Mr Ludwig, but was in a different year, said it was an “absolutely tragic story”.

“By the sounds of it a great guy taken too soon,” he wrote.

“I feel for his family and friends. The world really doesn’t make sense sometimes.”

In another cruel twist, a fake online fundraising page appeared in Mr Ludwig’s mother’s name less than 24 hours after the 41-year-old died.

The page was quickly shut down.