Heidelberg West death: Tributes for Melbourne man Ali Chaaban after he died in alleged street fight
A man fatally injured during an alleged street fight is being remembered by heartbroken friends and loved ones as a “wonderful human being” and one of a kind as his accused attacker appeared in court for the first time.
Emergency services were called to Alamein Road in Heidelberg West in Melbourne’s north-east just before midnight on Saturday after reports of an altercation between two men.
Heidelberg West man Ali Chaaban, 49, was found at the scene with life-threatening head injuries and later died in hospital.
Daniel Devlin, 40, was arrested at the scene and charged with murder.
News of Mr Chaaban’s death prompted an outpouring of heartbreaking tributes online and on his Facebook profile.
Tributes have been paid to 49-year-old Ali Chaaban (pictured) after he died on Saturday night from serious head injuries believed to have been suffered during a street fight in Melbourne’s northwest.
One partner was “saddened and heartbroken” to hear of Mr Chaaban’s tragic death.
“We all grew up together and have been on different life journeys, but we have always kept in touch,” he wrote.
‘I just can’t believe I can’t talk to you or text you anymore about football… your show pigeons or just to see how things are going.’
“You have always been a positive soul and if you ever needed help, you would be the first.”
Another friend described Mr. Chaaban as an “unforgettable soul and I am grateful that I was fortunate to have had your presence in my life.”
“You are such a special person and there are not many people like you in this world,” they wrote.
A third wrote: ‘Thank you for all you have done for all of us over the years and made our childhood so much fun.’
‘So grateful to have you in my life, because there really was no one like you.’
Police arrested 40-year-old Daniel Devlin, who was reportedly known to Mr Chaaban (pictured), at the scene and charged him with murder
Devlin appeared in the Melbourne District Court on Sunday.
His lawyer, Nadia Giorgianni, told the court her client was withdrawing from heroin treatment and had a brain injury.
“He is asked to see a nurse or doctor (who is in custody) as soon as possible,” Ms Giorgianni told the court, the court heard. Herald Sun.
Police allege Devlin and Mr Chaaban knew each other.
He was taken into custody and appeared in court again on October 21.