There were emotional scenes at the site where a young lawyer was killed in a suspected hit and run as his heartbroken relatives arrive in to support his grieving girlfriend.
Mitch East, 28, had just been dropped off by an Uber outside his Fletcher Street unit block, in Tamarama, Sydney’s eastern suburbs, when he is believed to have been struck by a vehicle just after 4am on Sunday.
A passerby discovered Mr East, who was educated at Harvard Law School, with critical head and chest injuries. Despite desperate efforts of paramedics, he could not be saved and died at the scene.
Devastated family members on Sunday flew into Sydney from Mr East’s home country, New Zealand, after receiving the tragic news.
Daily Mail understands Mr East and his long-term girlfriend moved across the ditch about two years ago to pursue work opportunities.
Lawyer Mitch East (pictured) was killed in a suspected hit and run in Sydney’s east during the early hours of Sunday morning
Mr East’s mother was greeted outside her apartment’s unit by a female friend on Monday after arriving in from New Zealand
Mr East’s shattered mother and his girlfriend were seen outside the couple’s Fletcher Street unit on Monday as grieving friends stopped by to drop off flowers.
At one point, Mr East’s mother embraced a female friend when she arrived at the home and the pair went for a walk down the street.
In moving scenes, a big group of Mr East’s colleagues descended on the apartment block about 4pm with large bouquets, which they placed on the ground outside the couple’s home.
Men and women could be seen embracing each other as they paused for a moment in silence at the memorial site.
Mr East studied law in his home country, securing notable positions working as a senior advisor on the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch terrorist attack and as a solicitor at large national firm Meredith Connell.
He moved to around 2022 to work for his current employer, major firm Arnold Bloch Leibler.
An Arnold Bloch Leibler spokesperson told Daily mail all staff were notified about the tragedy via an email on Monday morning.
A group of Mr East’s colleagues placed large bouquets outside his apartment block on Monday
Mr East has been remembered as a ‘highly talented’ and ‘popular’ lawyer
‘[In the email] Arnold Bloch Leibler’s Managing Partner Henry Lanzer and Managing Sydney Partner Paul Rubenstein paid tribute to Mitch, describing him as a highly talented lawyer and popular and valued member of the firm, whose loss will be deeply felt,’ the spokesperson said.
‘The partners expressed heartfelt condolences to Mitch’s parents, his partner and many close friends, both within and outside of Arnold Bloch Leibler.’
It comes as police revealed investigators are searching for the driver of a white Subaru Outback which was spotted in the area on CCTV about the same time as the crash.
Appearing on Sunrise on Monday, NSW Police inspector Jason Hogan urged the driver to come forward.
‘It is a cowardly act to drive away after colliding with another human,’ he said.
‘They really need to attend their local police station before we knock on their door.’
Inspector Hogan would not confirm whether detectives believe the driver is local, but said police are currently following ‘all lines of enquiries’ as to where the person may live.
Officers are pictured processing the crime scene in Tamarama on Sunday
Mr East was educated at Harvard Law School and moved to from New Zealand for his law career
As part of the investigation, Inspector Hogan said officers are canvassing local areas, businesses and transportation companies for further footage which may identify more clues.
Locals have reported hearing a car alarm going off and a loud bang around the time of the crash.
Detective Assistant Superintendent Adam Solah said officers had contacted the man’s family.
‘The family are obviously very upset and distraught, and our hearts go out to them, having to find out such difficult news,’ he said.
Police are also calling for witnesses or anyone with CCTV footage that may able to assist to come forward.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact police immediately.