Mitch East: Family of lawyer, 28, killed in mysterious hit and run in Tamarama, Sydney’s east, arrive in Australia to support his devastated girlfriend at the scene of the tragedy – as detectives uncover a vital clue

There were emotional scenes at the scene where a young lawyer was killed in a suspected hit-and-run as his heartbroken relatives arrived in Australia to support his grieving girlfriend.

Mitch East, 28, had just been dropped off by an Uber outside his apartment building on Fletcher Street in Tamarama, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, when he was struck by a vehicle just after 4am on Sunday.

A passerby discovered Mr. East, who was educated at Harvard Law School, with serious head and chest injuries. Despite desperate efforts by paramedics, he could not be saved and died at the scene.

Devastated family members flew to Sydney from East’s homeland of New Zealand on Sunday after receiving the tragic news.

Daily Mail Australia understands Mr East and his long-time girlfriend crossed the ditch to look for work about two years ago.

Mr East’s mother was greeted outside her apartment by a friend on Monday after arriving in Australia from New Zealand

Mr East’s shocked mother and his girlfriend were seen outside the couple’s Fletcher Street unit on Monday as grieving friends dropped by to drop off flowers.

At one point, Mr. East’s mother hugged a friend when she arrived at the house and the pair went for a walk down the street.

In moving scenes, a large group of Mr East’s colleagues descended on the apartment building at around 4pm carrying large bouquets, which they placed on the ground outside the couple’s home.

Men and women could be seen hugging each other as they stood in silence for a moment at the memorial site.

Mr East studied law in his home country and held notable positions as a senior adviser to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch terrorist attack and as a lawyer at the major national firm Meredith Connell.

He moved to Australia around 2022 to work for his current employer, the major Arnold Bloch Leibler company.

A spokesperson for Arnold Bloch Leibler told Daily Mail Australia that all staff had been informed of the tragedy via an email on Monday morning.

A group of Mr. East’s colleagues placed large bouquets outside his apartment building on Monday

Mr East is remembered as a ‘very talented’ and ‘popular’ lawyer

‘(In the email) Arnold Bloch Leibler’s Managing Partner Henry Lanzer and Managing Partner Paul Rubenstein paid tribute to Mitch, describing him as a very talented lawyer and a popular and valued member of the firm, whose loss will be deeply felt,’ the spokesperson said. said.

“The partners extended their sincere condolences to Mitch’s parents, his partner and many close friends, both within and outside Arnold Bloch Leibler.”

Police have revealed that investigators are looking for the driver of a white Subaru Outback, which was seen on CCTV in the area around the same time as the crash.

Appearing at Sunrise on Monday, NSW Police Inspector Jason Hogan urged the driver to come forward.

“It is a cowardly act to drive away after colliding with another human being,” he said.

“They really need to go to the local police station before we knock on their door.”

Inspector Hogan would not confirm whether detectives believe the driver is local, but said police are currently following ‘all lines of inquiry’ as to where the person may live.

Officers are pictured investigating the crime scene in Tamarama on Sunday

Mr East trained at Harvard Law School and moved to Australia from New Zealand to pursue his law career

As part of the investigation, Inspector Hogan said officers are searching local areas, businesses and transport companies for further footage that may provide further clues.

Local residents reported hearing a car alarm go off and a loud bang around the time of the crash.

Detective Assistant Chief Inspector Adam Solah said officers had contacted the man’s family.

“The family are clearly very upset and distraught and our thoughts go out to them as they have to hear such difficult news,” he said.

The police are also calling on witnesses or people who have camera images that can help to come forward.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact police immediately.