Young man killed in Wyndham Vale stabbing identified as up-and-coming model Nathaniel Mwanza

A young man stabbed at a bus stop in Melbourne’s southwest has been identified as an up-and-coming model.

Nathaniel Mwanza, 23, was stabbed to death by two men in Wyndham Vale about 8pm on Wednesday.

Mwanza was sitting at the back of a bus travelling south on Haines Dr when two men got on and sat near him.

The three became involved in a conversation before a fight then broke out.

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said the altercation made its way down the bus and Mwanza decided to get off at the next stop.

The two men followed, with the fight continuing on the nature strip outside a home on Haines Dr, near Vaughan Chase.

Mwanza was stabbed and the two men ran off.

A person walking by saw Mwanza injured and called triple-0 but he died at the scene.

Family members have been paying tribute to Mwanza, laying flowers near the bus stop where he died.

He was described as the “sweetest and most humble kid” in one social media post.

“Rest in peace Nathaniel Mwanza, robbed of your dreams,” his cousin wrote.

“Evil will never win, the flesh dies but the spirit lives in the name of Jesus Christ.”

His sister wrote: “You didn’t only take my brother but you took a part of me! Peace will never reign in your family!”

Mwanza was a model represented by the agency Priscillas. In 2021, he featured in an ad for clothing brand Champion.

Thomas said it was unclear if the two offenders knew Mwanza and what the motive behind the attack was.

It’s not known whether Mwanza was robbed.

“It’s early in the investigation and we’re reviewing CCTV, we’re speaking to different witnesses who have come forward,” Thomas said.

He described the two men as dangerous and said there would be extra police patrols in the area.

“They are dangerous given they’ve shown their propensity to commit this type of crime,” Thomas said.

“One death is too many and to be killed in this way ... is concerning and Victoria Police is working extremely hard to identify these people.”

SES members were seen combing the surrounding area on Thursday, with the weapon used in the attack not yet found.

The two offenders have been described as Asian in appearance, with one wearing a white T-shirt, blue coloured jeans, runners, and a cap.

The other was wearing a dark-coloured jacket and a cap.

Both were seen walking east along Vaughan Chase.

Anyone who was on the bus or who may have witnessed the fight on Haines Dr has been urged to come forward.