Tributes Flow As Punk Scene Identity Murdered In Canberra

Canberra based music fan Nicholas Sofer-Schreiber has been found dead in his home with multiple stab wounds, sending shockwaves through the international punk rock scene.

Dubbed the 'Ginger Ninja', 27-year-old Sofer-Schreiber was a fixture of the punk scene in Sydney and Canberra and was renowned for being a humble and supportive member of the community.

Social media has featured a number of tributes from friends, bands and fellow fans and American punk rock stalwarts Strung Out expressed shock at the manner of his death.

“One of our long time fans from Australia has been murdered and we are in disbelief of this happening to him,” they posted on Facebook. They described him as a “a nice humble kind person. He was a huge fan of not only our band, but so many other punk rock bands too.

“He travelled all over to come see us play and all five of us knew him. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends and we can only hope that they get to the bottom of what happened to bring some closure to this tragic crime.”

Journalist and former frontman of Western Sydney punk band Unpaid Debt, Joseph Catanzaro told theMusic.com.au today, “Nick was the bloke you'd bump into at shows all over the country. He was as much a familiar fixture in Sydney as he was in Canberra. Everybody knew him, and everybody loved him.”

In a tribute post he wrote, “There was no fame or fortune in it for Nick. He was there, a regular and a stalwart, because of his genuine love and passion for music. He didn't take the stage, but in his own way, he was famous and loved.

“I could list a bunch of big name bands nationally and internationally that would know him by name, or at least by his famous moniker, 'the Ginger Ninja'. The more important list would be the huge number of people that called him friend. Musicians loved him, because he was the type of person that made performing worthwhile, the type of person without which a show or a sense of community could not really exist.”

ACT Police are calling for witnesses after his friends gained entry to his home in Lyneham and found him on the floor Saturday 28 December. Police said that due to the multiple stab wounds they are treating the death as a murder.

Police have indicated they are appealing for anyone who may have been in contact with Mr Sofer-Schreiber, or who may have information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.act.crimestoppers.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.