A mother has made a desperate plea to “find that car” which hit and killed New Zealand national Mitch East, 28, in Tamarama on Sunday.
Debra East has now arrived in Sydney, where Mitch lived and worked as a lawyer, and described standing on the roadside trying to comprehend the moment she lost her son.
“I’m broken. He was my only child,” Debra told 7NEWS on Tuesday. “I died too, on Sunday, with him.”
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Mitch had just stepped out of an Uber onto Fletcher St, just metres from his home, about 4am when it is believed he was hit by a car, 7NEWS understands.
He was found with critical injuries. Police and paramedics were unable to revive him and he died at the scene.
Mitch’s partner was asked to identify his body as his family flew in from New Zealand.
Police are treating the incident as a hit-and-run and have released CCTV footage of a white Subaru driving on the street moments after Mitch was hit.
Debra told 7NEWS on Tuesday: “I got up early hours of the morning today and stood on the side of the road to try to understand how they couldn’t have seen him as they were driving up.
“I just need you to help the police find that car. Not that it will bring him back to me.”
NSW Police Inspector Josh Hogan also appealed to the public: “We would urge the driver to come forward … it’s a cowardly act to drive away after colliding with another human.”
Tributes flow for ‘warm and kind soul’
Mitch has been remembered in heartwarming tributes by his communities in Australia and New Zealand.
The “highly talented lawyer” loved the ocean and was a former member of the Whiritoa Lifeguard Service.
“Mitch was a valued member of our surf club as both a lifeguard, qualifying in 2010, and as our first-ever club surf sports coach,” the New Zealand surf club said on Tuesday.
“He was an inspiration to so many young people and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
“The club is considering how we can honour his memory, but at this time, we extend our condolences from all the Whiritoa Lifeguard Service ‘Team Toa’ family.”
His aquatic community in Australia also shared their memories of Mitch in a GoFundMe alongside donations to support his grieving family, partner, and friends.
“RIP Mitch, only met you a few times for Saturday swims, but you seemed like a top bloke,” one person wrote. “You were part of our rich Bondi community, and you will be missed.”
A friend wrote: “Mitch was an incredibly intelligent, wonderfully warm and kind soul. What an honour to have had his friendship. He was so deeply loved and will be sorely missed.”
“Mitch was always a fun, cheeky and kind guy. Rest easy,” another wrote.
The GoFundMe said: “Mitch’s life was tragically cut far too short.
“He was known and will always be remembered for his hilarious yet kind nature and his incredible ability to befriend everyone he met.
“Mitch’s time was far from up, and he had so much life left and love to give.”
The Sydney law firm where Mitch worked, Arnold Bloch Leibler, paid tribute to him in an email to his coworkers and other staff the morning after his death.
“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,” a spokesperson for the firm said.
“The partners expressed heartfelt condolences to Mitch’s parents, his partner and many close friends, both within and outside (the firm).”
Mitch graduated from Harvard Law School in 2022 after studying and starting his legal career in New Zealand.
Federal MP Allegra Spender, the member for Wentworth where Mitch lived and died, acknowledged the tragic incident “will be deeply felt across the community”.
Anyone with information about the death is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.