Murder charges laid over stabbing death of Ruka Carlson in Melbourne’s Prahran

A second murder charge has been laid over the stabbing death of a father-of-six during a late-night attack in Melbourne’s busy clubbing precinct.

Ruka Carlson, 30, was stabbed during a mass brawl on Chapel St in Prahran about 1.30am on Sunday.

He was taken to hospital where he later died.

Detective Acting Inspector Chris Ellway on Monday said police believe up to six people were involved in the fight, which started at one end of the street and worked its way down to the site of the fatal assault.

“He has had a number of wounds inflicted and they appear at this stage to be from a sharp instrument,” Ellway said.

“We don’t know 100 per cent for sure what the cause of those injuries are. A bottle was part of the assault but whether that was what inflicted any of the injuries, we aren’t sure.”

The attack reportedly took place outside a licensed premises, where a group of men assaulted Carlson before chasing him further down, where he was stabbed multiple times.

Police said they believed the parties involved were known to each other.

A 35-year-old Lidcombe man was arrested at Melbourne Airport on Monday and charged with affray and assault-related offences.

On Thursday, police said they had charged him with one count of murder.

A 20-year-old Kurunjang man was arrested in Melton later that night.

“He was interviewed by police and subsequently charged with one count of murder,” Victoria Police said.

He was remanded in custody and is set to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

The 35-year-old Lidcombe man was also remanded in custody and is expected to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on September 4.

A GoFundMe has been launched to help support Carlson’s fiancee and their six children.

The investigation remains ongoing.

- With Tita Smith