News Service from House Harris

Vic: Family devastated by mystery death of beloved son, brother

MELBOURNE, Jan 22 AAP - The family of a man who lay dying on a Melbourne street for almost two hours until someone called an ambulance has been devastated by his death.

Abdi Hasan, 29, was found by a passerby in the inner suburb of Carlton between 8.30am and 9am (AEDT) on Sunday.

He was lying on a grassy area near the Carlton housing commission flats on the corner of Rathdowne and Neill streets.

Mr Hasan was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital where he had surgery for a serious head injury, but died a short time later.

His sister Hakuma said the family was mourning the loss of a wonderful man who had been planning his future.

"We have been devastated by the tragic loss of our brother and son," Ms Hasan said.

"Abdi was a very polite, kind, warm-hearted young man.

"Abdi was full of life and (was) optimistic about the future until mysteriously his life had been cut short."

Mr Hasan's mother, comforted by her two daughters, wept as Hakuma read the family statement to reporters.

"We love him very much," Ms Hasan said as she called on the public to come forward with any information about her brother's last hours.

The family migrated from Somalia to Australia in 1998.

Homicide Squad Detective Sergeant Peter Trichias said police believed Mr Hasan had been lying on the grassy area for about two hours.

He said people may not have helped him because they may have believed he was drunk.

"There were no obvious signs that he had been physically injured but he did sustain a head injury," Det Sgt Trichias told reporters.

Mr Hasan left his home in Melbourne's north about 10pm on Saturday and was involved in a fight with a friend in the city about 2.30am on Sunday, Det Sgt Trichias said.

But police want to speak to any witnesses who may have seen Mr Hasan between 7.30am and 9.30am on Sunday to piece together the mystery as there was still uncertainty surrounding how and when Mr Hasan was injured.

Det Sgt Trichias said the head injury may have been caused by a blow or a fall.

Mr Hasan's death had had a terrible impact on the family, he said.

"Not only have they lost their brother and son, but they don't know what happened to him. That's why we are appealing today to try and find out what's caused his death."