Shattered mates of angler allegedly murdered as he fished from a city pier break their silence over the tragedy: ‘True gentleman’
- Andres Pancha, 45, was fishing at Frankston Pier
- He was allegedly murdered by a homeless man
A father-of-three who was stabbed to death on a Victorian pier has been remembered as a ‘true gentleman’.
Andres Pancha, 45, was fishing at Frankston Pier in the state’s southeast early Saturday morning when he was allegedly attacked by homeless man Forrest Stevenson, 36.
Police say the Filipino father from North Cranbourne did not know his alleged attacker.
Mr Pancha’s friend and former colleague Lee Seddon paid tribute to the much-loved fisherman on social media.
‘I had the pleasure of working with Andres Pancha and sailing on the Iron Chieftain. He was a true gentleman. βI loved his fishermen and his young family,β he said.
‘So shocking to hear that he was taken so young and in this terrible way. Favorable winds and calm seas.’
Another family friend said he had only recently spoken to Mr Pancha, “nothing now.”
“Still young and already gone, RIP Andres Pancha. We will miss you,” said Tc Cor Glover.
Filipino father-of-three Andres Pancha (pictured) was reportedly stabbed to death on Frankston Pier on Saturday morning
Andres Pancha, 45, was fishing at Frankston Pier in the state’s southeast early Saturday morning
Mr Pancha visited the popular fishing spot once or twice a week.
Mr Stevenson was arrested on Frankston’s waterfront a short time after the alleged murder.
Police were called to the location following reports of an attack when they found Mr Pancha unconscious.
Stevenson was arrested shortly after the alleged attack on the nearby waterfront.
According to the police, the two men are not known to each other.
Stevenson has no fixed abode and promotes himself on social media as an amateur artist who tattoos his own body.
He appeared in court in Melbourne on Sunday wearing a disposable mask and a black T-shirt.
Stevenson followed the trial closely and seemed clear-headed.
Kate Lynch, Detective Chief Inspector of the Homicide Squad, told the court it took police 12 weeks to put together a piece of evidence.
The trial normally takes six weeks, but the court was told an extension was needed before the pathology and DNA test reports could be completed.
Stevenson was in custody until November 6.
Judge Marc Sargent told the court the defendant needed immediate medical attention to make his custody “more comfortable”.
βThe nurse will see you as soon as possible today,β he told Stevenson.