Homicide Squad detectives are appealing for information from the community as they work to identify three people of interest following the death of Jason Langhans after an assault in Tooradin last month.
The 17-year-old passed away in hospital on Saturday 10 April following an assault at a party in Station Road on Sunday 21 March about 2.30am.
Detectives believe the three people of interest, who weren't invited guests of the 16th birthday party and not believed known to the wider group of guests, turned up with one of the guests towards the end of the night.
As guests were leaving and milling out the front of the home a minor confrontation occurred between the trio and another guest who had asked them to leave.
Investigators believe Jason was in the vicinity of this confrontation when he was assaulted to the head, without provocation, with a thin implement best described as a screwdriver.
The injured Cranbourne North boy was provided first aid at the scene, before being driven home; when his condition deteriorated ambulance paramedics were called.
He was taken to hospital at the time with life threatening injuries.
The trio involved in the confrontation were chased from the property by a core group of guests before they disappeared into the grounds of nearby rural properties.
It is believed a further altercation has occurred in the grounds of one of these properties.
Homicide detectives have spoken to a number of guests from the party but are still appealing to anyone with any information to come forward.
In particular detectives would like to hear from anyone with information about the offenders, the later altercation, the area where this altercation occurred, or the type of weapon used.
A number of people were in the area at the time of the fatal assault and police are urging them to come forward.
The three men of interest are perceived to be middle eastern in appearance, believed to be of driving age and are not from the surrounding area.
The first man is described as approximately 170cm tall, has dark coloured short cropped hair and was wearing dark clothing.
The second man is described as approximately 170cm tall, has wavy black hair which was brushed across his face and was also wearing dark clothing.
The third man is also described as about 170cm tall, has a dark coloured short crew cut and was wearing dark clothing. It is also believed he will have visible injuries to the left side of his face.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or log onto www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Quotes attributable to Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper:
"I can't even imagine what the Langhans family must be going through, to find out that your son and much-loved brother, who just went out to a party, will no longer be coming home."
"From the information we have at this stage, this fatal assault appears to have occurred without provocation, and was an attack on a young man without warning."
"Our investigators have been working hard to identify the trio we believe are involved, but we now need further information from the public."
"There are people in the community who will know who was involved and who will have information that can help; we urge you to come forward with any details."
"To the friends or guests who chased the trio away, who would have been just trying to look out for their friend, we'd like to hear from you to help establish the circumstances of what occurred and you may be able to help us find the weapon involved."
"We're urging anyone who knows the three men involved, who we believe attended with the intention to cause trouble, to come forward."
"These men need to be held to account for their actions."
