A 34-Year-Old Man Was Found Fatally Stabbed — and Police Are Searching for a Hooded Figure

A Sydney mother is pleading for answers after her 34-year-old son, James Pakis, was found fatally stabbed during a welfare check — and police have released chilling CCTV of a hooded figure seen leaving the scene. 

“All he was doing was going out to have a drink with his friend, watch footy or something,” his mother, Lena Pakis, told The Sydney Morning Herald. “You have to be able to go out and not worry about if someone is going to stab you, or if your kid is not going to come home that night.” 

“I just want Jamie to get justice,” she said. “He didn’t deserve this.”

Officers were called to a home on Lakeba Street in Belmore, in Sydney’s southwest, shortly before 9 p.m. on March 15, per a statement from the New South Wales Police. 

When they arrived, they found Pakis unresponsive with multiple stab wounds, with a 24-year-old man providing him medical assistance.

Two days later, detectives arrested a 21-year-old man at Bankstown Police Station and charged him with murder in connection to Pakis’ death, per the release. Police did not name the man or release further information on his involvement. He remains behind bars without bail, the Herald reported.

But they are still searching for another person of interest — seen on CCTV footage in a hood and black clothes leaving the scene with a blue bag. The footage was released by the department this week.

The person was seen getting into a black Honda Jazz with a damaged rear window. 

“We believe they have knowledge of this alleged murder, and that’s why we’re now seeking the assistance from the public to identify those persons and where that vehicle of interest is,” Detective Inspector Craig Brooks told the Herald.

“This is a horrific offense,” he told the outlet. “[James] was a young 34-year-old man and obviously we want to see justice for his family.” 

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-333-000 or Campsie Police.