By Danielle Kutchel and Gabriella Payne
A much-loved Cranbourne North teenager was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time when he was stabbed after a party in Tooradin last month.
17-year-old Jason Langhans died in hospital on Saturday 10 April from injuries sustained in an unprovoked attack at a birthday party on 21 March.
The Homicide Squad is investigating the assault and police are currently searching for three unidentified males who they say arrived at the party looking for trouble.
Police believe the three males were involved in a “slight altercation” at the party, according to Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper.
Jason stepped in as a peacemaker and attempted to de-escalate the situation.
Without provocation, one of the unknown males stepped forward and “slapped” Jason on the head twice.
Police now know that the attacker had a “sharp implement” in his hand at the time, which caused life-threatening injuries.
After the assault the three males took off and were pursued by other partygoers, however they remain at large.
Jason appeared dazed with bleeding to his forehead and was attended to by people at the party before being driven home.
But it soon became apparent that he was “in a bad way”, and an ambulance was called.
Paramedics made the decision to take Jason straight to The Alfred hospital, where he died three weeks later in the ICU.
Jason’s mother Carolyn Langhans said she never got to say goodbye to her son.
“It’s been horrible every day at The Alfred just watching your son…wishing he would open his eyes and talk to us,” she said.
“I’m devastated, my heart is breaking. I’ve lost my son; he’s not coming back.”
She remembered Jason as a “very outgoing young man” with a passion for the outdoors.
Jason was looking forward to getting his licence on his 18th birthday in July, and was doing up a 4WD to take on the road for a special trip to celebrate.
“All that has been taken away from us,” Ms Langhans said.
Jason’s sisters Emma and Stacey described their brother as a sweet person who always took on the mantle of protector amongst friends.
The family appealed to his attacker to come forward.
Asked what he would say to the three unknown males, Det. Insp. Stamper urged them to make themselves known to police.
“We need to talk to them. We’re happy to talk to them,” he said.
“We’re keen to listen to anyone who can provide information.”
Police believe the three may be from the western suburbs.
Det. Insp. Stamper said the Homicide Squad was confident members would identify the attackers.
“We’ve been working flat out on this, so let’s say the net is closing in well and truly,” he said.
A large team of homicide detectives, police public order response officers and SES volunteers were on scene conducting an “extensive“ line search for the murder weapon on Thursday 15 April, along Tooradin Station Road.
Detective Senior Sergeant Adam Shoesmith from the Homicide Squad confirmed that the team were searching for a screwdriver-like weapon in relation to the murder and would be there for most of the day.
“It’s a needle in a haystack,“ Det. Sen. Serg. Shoesmith said.
“But we’re hoping for the best.“
While Det. Sen. Serg. Shoesmith said that there had been “nothing specific to say that it’s even here“, search crews were meticulously checking the surrounding area as “there’s an assumption it’s been dumped somewhere“, he said.
A number of empty cans had been found along the road and were marked by police as potential evidence, but the team was still searching as of 12pm on Thursday.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
