Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains images and names of people who have died.
The mother of 18-year-old Kaiden Morgan-Johnston says she is “shocked and devastated” by the Victoria Police decision to drop charges against one of the males accused of his murder.
Kaiden Morgan-Johnston and a 20-year-old Warragul man were allegedly stabbed at 10:25pm on September 27.
Both were taken to hospital where Mr Morgan died a short time later.
A 19-year-old from Traralgon was released from custody yesterday after charges of murder and intentionally causing injury were formally withdrawn at a hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
Police said, due to the ‘complex’ nature of the investigation, which “continues to evolve”, just one accused remains in the case — a 16-year-old who is in custody to face court at a later date.
Kaiden Morgan was fatally stabbed at Morwell in September. (ABC Takeover)
But Kaiden Morgan-Johnston’s mother, Sascha Johnston said the development came as a huge shock.
“I was contacted literally moments before it hit the media yesterday with the shocking news that the charges were to be withdrawn,” Ms Johnston told the ABC.
“As you can imagine, as a family, we are absolutely devastated and shocked.”
She said the incident took place metres from their home, and she had lost confidence that there would be justice for her son.
“My beautiful 18-year-old son lost potentially 60 years of a life he absolutely loved,” Ms Johnston said.
“We were with him in his final moments, and I know what he told me.”
Kaiden Morgan spoke of his love for cultural dance during the ABC Takeover project in 2024. (ABC Takeover)
A man with promise
Kaiden Morgan-Johnston’s death rocked the community of Morwell in Gippsland’s Latrobe Valley.
More than 200 people attended a memorial rally in the days after his death, at which young Indigenous men and women gathered to honour their fallen friend, whose love of cultural dancing had taken him on a tour of Australia performing with the Boorun Boys.
Grieving friends and family of Kaiden Morgan, after his untimely death. (ABC News: Bec Symons)
Police said the families of both victims had been spoken to in relation to the withdrawal of charges, and the investigation remained ongoing.
Police believe the parties involved in the fatal stabbing were known to each other.