Latest news with #Manassa
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Perth Now
‘Rare soul': Stabbing victim laid to rest
Family and friends of a young man allegedly stabbed to death in the driveway of a Sydney west home are gathering to lay the 'kind, respectful, and beautiful soul' to rest at a ceremony in Harris Park. Luke Manassa, 21, died from injuries sustained during the alleged stabbing attack in Pemulway, as he and his girlfriend pulled into a home along Driftway Dr. Police allege two people wearing disguises and dark clothing attacked Mr Manassa, before he was able to get back into his car and drive a short distance. Mr Manassa's funeral will be held at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Harris Park from 11am. Luke Manassa died from stab injuries after he was allegedly attacked by two teenagers in a driveway in west Sydney. Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia Two boys, aged 16 and 17, have been charged with murder. Richard Dobson / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia A funeral program for the service carries a message from the Gospel of John, reading: 'Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live.' Tributes have flowed for the 21-year-old in the wake of his death, with the Australian Blouza Association – a non-political organisation founded in 1949 by immigrants from the village of Blouza, in North Lebanon – announcing news of his passing with 'great sadness'. On the group's Facebook page, Charlie Baissari wrote: 'Our hearts are deeply broken to hear about the passing of your beloved Angel Luke. It was clear he was a kind, respectful, and beautiful soul — the kind of young man who left a light wherever he went.' 'No words can truly ease the pain of such a tragic loss, but please know our thoughts, prayers, and love are with you all during this heartbreaking time. We are so sorry. With our deepest sympathy, may he rest in eternal peace,' Mr Baissari continued. Mr Manassa's cousin Tash Mansour wrote: 'I'm lost for words. My heart goes to the rest of your siblings Anthony, Danielle, Patrick Grace and Matthew, and your parents Jamie and Theresa.' Mr Manassa, 21, has been remembered as a 'rare soul—overflowing with kindness, love, wisdom, talent, faith, and intelligence far beyond his years' by his family. Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia His brother David, in his own social media post, remembered Luke as a 'rare soul—overflowing with kindness, love, wisdom, talent, faith, and intelligence far beyond his years'. 'Luke left behind a legacy of love and light that will never fade. I'll forever hold the memories I have with him close,' he said. 'And while nothing can ease the pain right now, I stand firm in one hope: that we will be reunited again, in the presence of our loving God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 'Until then, we grieve … but not without hope.' Police are probing whether the alleged attack on Mr Manassa was a case of mistaken identity. Richard Dobson / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia Two boys, aged 16 and 17, have been charged with Mr Manassa's murder. Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi last week said investigators had not determined a clear motive for why the 21-year-old was targeted. 'It perhaps (was) the wrong target … more than likely, this is a case of mistaken identity, but it's still early days before we can absolutely confirm that,' he said. Mr Manassa did not live at the Pemulwuy home but was known to visit the property. According to his LinkedIn profile, he graduated from UTS last year and worked full-time as a project manager at his family's demolition business Mann Group. More to come .
Perth Now
04-07-2025
- Perth Now
'Disorganised crime': teens may have stabbed wrong man
Two boys charged with a stabbing murder might have been hired for the hit before targeting the wrong man in a case police have labelled "disorganised crime". Luke Manassa was stabbed outside a house in Pemulwuy in Sydney's west on June 26 by two masked assailants armed with machetes who were lying in wait in the driveway. Mr Manassa tried to escape to his ute and drive away but only travelled a few hundred metres before being overcome by his injuries and dying at the scene. Two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, were due to face a children's court charged with murder on Friday. The pair were arrested on Thursday morning but cannot be identified due to their age. The 17-year-old was on bail when Mr Manassa was killed. Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi said the teens were known to police for past violent behaviour and association with street gangs. "We believe that these younger offenders were contracted by someone to conduct this killing," Det Supt Doueihi told reporters. But there was no evidence linking Mr Manassa's alleged killers to the wider spate of organised crime violence in Sydney. "It's a very amateurish offence by these offenders," Det Supt Doueihi said. "If anything, I'd call it disorganised crime." Mr Manassa's family are adamant he was not the intended victim and police confirmed he was not known to authorities prior to his death. He did not live at the house he arrived at when he was stabbed but visited there occasionally. "The occupants of that location are known to Luke and are also known to NSW Police," Det Supt Doueihi said. Police have seized a red Kia the teens allegedly used to flee the scene. The pair are the latest in a string of young people allegedly caught up in Sydney's organised crime wave. On Wednesday, two 15-year-old boys were charged over two shootings in Sydney's southwest in June, one of which also involved a potential case of mistaken identity. "The problem is that these young children don't understand the consequences of their actions," Det Supt Doueihi said. "They could end up dead themselves, or they could be victims of some form of retaliation by the people that they tried to target." The killing of plumber John Versace at Condell Park in May was another high-profile case of suspected mistaken identity.
West Australian
03-07-2025
- West Australian
Sydney stabbing: Teens charged with murder after 21-year-old Sydney entrepreneur Luke Manassa fatally stabbed
Two teenage boys have been charged with murder after 21-year-old Sydney entrepreneur Luke Manassa was stabbed to death in Pemulwuy. Police allege Manassa and his girlfriend were attacked outside a Driftway Drive property about 10.45pm on June 26. Officers were told two unknown men dressed in dark clothing and disguises had set upon the 21-year-old and his girlfriend when they arrived at the property, NSW Police say. Mr Manassa was able to get back into his car and drive a short distance before succumbing to his injuries. He could not be revived and died at the scene. Police established Strike Force Hickety to investigate the alleged attack. Detectives raided properties in South Penrith, Mount Druitt, and Woodcroft at about 6am on Thursday. A 17-year-old boy was arrested in South Penrith. He has since been charged with murder and fail to comply with digital evidence access order direction. A 16-year-old boy was arrested in Mount Druitt and has also been charged with murder. Both teenagers were refused bail to appear in a children's court on Friday. Police seized a vehicle they will allege was the getaway car in Woodcroft. Investigations under Strike Force Hickety remain ongoing. More to come
Perth Now
03-07-2025
- Perth Now
Teenagers charged over Sydney entrepreneur's fatal stabbing
Two teenage boys have been charged with murder after 21-year-old Sydney entrepreneur Luke Manassa was stabbed to death in Pemulwuy. Police allege Manassa and his girlfriend were attacked outside a Driftway Drive property about 10.45pm on June 26. Officers were told two unknown men dressed in dark clothing and disguises had set upon the 21-year-old and his girlfriend when they arrived at the property, NSW Police say. Mr Manassa was able to get back into his car and drive a short distance before succumbing to his injuries. He could not be revived and died at the scene. Police established Strike Force Hickety to investigate the alleged attack. Detectives raided properties in South Penrith, Mount Druitt, and Woodcroft at about 6am on Thursday. A 17-year-old boy was arrested in South Penrith. He has since been charged with murder and fail to comply with digital evidence access order direction. A 16-year-old boy was arrested in Mount Druitt and has also been charged with murder. Both teenagers were refused bail to appear in a children's court on Friday. Police seized a vehicle they will allege was the getaway car in Woodcroft. Investigations under Strike Force Hickety remain ongoing. More to come
