Bailey Clifford: Local community’s heartwarming gesture for the grieving family of Paul Grapsas, who was allegedly murdered in a suburban street while walking his dog

A local community has rallied around the heartbroken family of a man allegedly murdered while walking his dog, raising more than $25,000.

Paul Grapsas, 40, left his home on Western Beach Road in Geelong, Victoria on the night of September 14 with the family pet, but the dog returned without him.

Mr Grapsas’ body was found around 4am the next morning by his pregnant wife Jessica, lying next to his car outside a church on nearby Malone Street.

The beloved father-of-two had died from serious head injuries in a case that baffled detectives, who said there was ‘nothing in his background to indicate any reason why he would be a particular victim of something like this’.

But there was a breakthrough on Wednesday when Bailey Clifford, 18, from the Belmont suburb of Geelong, was charged with the alleged murder of Ms Grapsas.

Bailey Clifford, 18, of Belmont, Victoria has been charged with the alleged murder of Paul Grapsas

a GoFundMe was set up by Mr. Grapsas’ sister-in-law Emmily Hunter described him as a loving family man who had met his wife at just 16 years old.

“He was a devoted father of two beautiful young children and was expecting a third baby on the way,” she wrote.

“Anyone who knew Paul knows how much he loved his family and adored his girls so deeply. They were his world.”

By Sunday evening, a day after the fundraiser was posted, the fundraiser’s goal of 300 donors was already more than halfway to its $50,000 goal.

The money raised will support Mr Grapsas’ young family now and into the future.

“No amount of money can ever replace Paul or take away the pain, but financial support can ease the burden on Jessica and their young children and baby along the way to help them cope with the tragic, heartbreaking loss,” the fundraiser said. .

Two days after finding him dead, Mr Grapsas’ grieving wife posted a photo of the couple on their wedding day almost seven years ago.

“My love forever and ever,” she captioned the January 2017 photo.

Mr Grapsas was described in a family statement as a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend.

“A man of integrity who was happiest when surrounded by his family, friends and church community,” the statement said.

‘He was a devoted father of two young children expecting a third on the way and had just received a promotion at his workplace.

“Known and respected in the community, an accomplished sportsman who enjoyed golf, fishing and video games.

“Paul will be dearly missed by all he loved and who loved him.”

Mr Grapsas’ death also led to an outpouring of tributes from heartbroken friends.

“It was such an honor to know this kind, honest and wonderful father and family man; Paul was a wonderful Christian man.

‘Paul is now in God’s care and heaven has another beautiful angel. I feel very privileged to have known such a wonderful man,” one friend wrote.

Paul Graspas and his wife Jessica (pictured on their wedding day) were about to welcome their third child and celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary in January

Mr Grapsas (pictured) was the last to leave his home on Western Beach Road near central Geelong in Victoria to take his dog for a walk. He never came home

Another wrote that ‘Paul was such a beautiful and caring man.’

Clifford was remanded in custody at the Geelong Magistrates Court and will next appear in court on January 30.

The court heard that up to 50 pieces of evidence will be analyzed by forensic experts to determine Mr Grapsas’ cause of death.

As of September 15, investigators have asked anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage from the area to contact them.