A young teenager stabbed to death in what appeared to be a pre-planned night-time attack has been remembered by his heartbroken loved ones as a kind lad who longed for a family.
Emergency services were called to a home on Carey Avenue in Seaton in Adelaide’s west on Tuesday night following reports that a man had been stabbed.
Scot Phillips, 19, was stabbed multiple times and died at the scene in a pool of his own blood, despite frantic efforts by emergency services to revive him.
Police say the teenager was “lured” out of the property with a housemate and his partner after the house’s electricity was cut off before the attack.
His sister, Kerrie Rigney, said he was “not aggressive” but had fallen into the wrong hands after being placed in a group home at an early age.
Mr. Phillips left home at age 17 to live with his older sister, who did her best to be more of a sister than a mother.
Several of the boys at the home had been in jail and “introduced him to people he shouldn’t have met,” his sister said.
“He wasn’t meant for that world, he was too good,” Rigney said. Advertiser.
Police are investigating the stabbing death of Scot Phillips (pictured) outside his Adelaide home on Tuesday night.
‘I didn’t like his friends at all, but he was that age and he said, ‘They’re the only family I know.’
“He just wanted that family life and to be under guardianship. It was difficult.”
He added that all he ever wanted was to be loved and have a family.
Police believe the attack was not random as the attacker could be seen but not identified on CCTV footage from the house.
Leading criminal investigators have launched an investigation into Mr Phillips’ death.
Detective Superintendent Des Bray said Mr Phillips and a group of friends had just returned home after a night out at the local pub when the power went out.
He said the teenager “was immediately attacked by at least one person.”
“The person was armed, was lying in wait and unleashed a furious attack on the victim,” Detective Superintendent Bray told reporters on Wednesday.
‘From the injuries and the attack on Scott it is clear that there was intent to kill him, and his injuries were not recoverable.’
Detectives have launched a search for a man wearing dark-colored clothing and a dark mask or balaclava, with a hood over it.
The man has been described as tall, athletically built and with a narrow waist.
The attacker is understood to have approached Mr Phillips from Fidock Ave and left via the same route before “two vehicles of interest” drove past the scene.
“At this time, all available resources and major offences are committed to this investigation, along with a wealth of other resources,” Detective Superintendent Bray said.
Phillips’ sister said he “just wanted to be loved,” adding that he fell into the wrong soil after being placed in a group home at a young age.
Police said the attacker “lured” the teenager out of the house after the power went out (pictured, emergency services at the scene)
Several items including butcher knives, knives, gloves and masks found at the scene have been seized for further examination.
“We really have no idea what or if any of that is involved in this investigation,” Detective Superintendent Bray said.
“At the moment, we are hoping that one or two elements may be connected.”
Police are also looking into Mr Phillips’ life to “build a picture of what was happening and help identify suspects”.
All Scot Phillips wanted was to be loved and have a family, according to his sister.
Police have since searched a home in Hectorville, in Adelaide’s east, where they arrested a 19-year-old man who detectives say is linked to the attack.
He was charged with illegal possession of a shotgun and ammunition. He remains in custody.
“We believe that this person may be of interest to our investigation but we have no evidence to incriminate them at this stage… So we will continue to investigate,” Detective Superintendent Bray said.
Anyone with information or dashcam footage from the scene at the time of the incident is urged to contact police.