The 22-year-old, who is yet to be publicly identified, was found suffering multiple stab wounds on Ocean Parade at Coffs Harbour about 6.50am and later died in hospital.
It is believed he was attacked during an altercation that occurred shortly after leaving the water.
His uncle, known only as Ralph, has this morning called for Jack’s Law to be extended to New South Wales to help stop such knife crimes from reoccurring.
Ralph said his nephew, who worked as a stone mason and loved to surf, was “a lovely young man”.
”He definitely had a mischievous side to him – he loved a laugh,” he told 2GB’s Ben Fordham this morning.
“More than anything else, he just had a heart of gold, he really did. A gentle, caring nature was his greatest asset.
“We’re just broken at the moment.”
Queensland passed new laws in March last year allow police officers to “wand” or move a detector over a person at designated public zones such as transport hubs.
They’ve been dubbed Jack’s Law as Brett and Belinda Breasley campaigned for them in honour of their 17-year-old son Jack, who died on the Gold Coast in 2019.
“I’m angry, obviously, at this attacker but I’m angry at our politicians,” an emotional Ralph told Ben Fordham.
“Where have they been on Jack’s Law? How long do we have to wait here in New South Wales? This will save lives.”
“He was just coming back from the surf – stabbed eight times. What on Earth is going on?”
