Family pays tribute to Australian man stabbed in Sweden, Kai Foley
Updated
The family of an Australian man stabbed to death in Sweden has paid tribute to a "beautiful, fine young man".
Kai Stephane Foley, 30, was fatally injured in Odinsplatsen, a public place in the middle of the city of Gothenburg on December 20.
Investigators said he had left an apartment about 40 minutes before he was found and had managed to walk several hundred metres after the deadly wounds were inflicted.
He was found about 4:20am (local time) by officers investigating another matter and rushed to hospital, where he later died.
In a statement, his family asked for privacy during a difficult time.
"Kai's family and many friends are devastated at the loss of a very special, beautiful, fine young man," they said.
"A private memorial service for Kai's family and friends will be held in the coming weeks. Details will be posted on Kai's FB page."
Police had no leads on stabbing
After news of his death broke, Mr Foley's friends had taken to Facebook to remember a "gentle giant".
"My heart is so so sad for his family and his Swedish girlfriend," one friend wrote.
"I am so sorry. I loved you and your family."
Another friend remembered Mr Foley as a "top bloke taken before his time".
"Can't believe this has happened to [you] bro."
The ABC understands Mr Foley, who had recently lived in Melbourne, moved to Sweden a couple of months ago to be with his girlfriend.
Before Christmas, Swedish media reported police were working to piece together Mr Foley's final hours and had spoken to "a lot of people".
"The victim has never been on the Swedish police radar," Swedish police West region spokesperson Ulla Brehm told The Local.
Investigators had also called for witnesses or information, saying even the "smallest little thing" could be vital to their investigation.
Topics: crime, murder-and-manslaughter, sweden, vic, australia
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