Western Sydney Stabbing: Ambush Attack Leaves Entrepreneur Dead

In this segment on The Today Show, former NSW police officer Luke Taylor provides insights into the fatal stabbing of 21-year-old entrepreneur Luke Manasse in Western Sydney, described by police as a targeted ambush.

A Calculated Ambush

Luke Taylor explains that the attack took place as Manasse pulled into his driveway on Thursday night.

“It was a frenzied stabbing,” Luke says. “The word ambush is key here — his attackers had staked out his home and were lying in wait. The use of knives over firearms indicates a highly personal and aggressive attack, suggesting extreme anger or passion.”

Who Was Luke Manasse?

The victim, known in media reports as an aspiring entrepreneur, had connections to celebrities and well-known figures.

However, Luke stresses that police will be focused on the crime itself:

 “At this stage, police won’t be concerned with any alleged celebrity status. Their priority is to bring justice for his grieving family after such a brutal murder.”



Police Knowledge of the Victim

Media reports noted that police “knew of” Manasse but clarified he was not a well-known crime figure.

Luke explains:

 “When police say someone is ‘well-known,’ it usually means they have a criminal record or established criminal connections. To say he wasn’t well-known suggests he may have come into contact with police in another way — as a witness, a victim, or in some unrelated matter. Without clarification, it’s impossible to speculate.”



The Next Steps in the Investigation

Authorities are already collecting CCTV footage from neighbouring houses and working through multiple lines of inquiry.

“With today’s technology, it’s virtually impossible to go off the grid,” Luke explains. “Phones, vehicles, cameras in shops, traffic lights, and homes all leave electronic footprints. Police will track these signals and combine them with interviews and footwork. I’m confident someone will be brought to justice soon.”

Conclusion

The stabbing of Luke Manasse has shocked Western Sydney, raising concerns about violent targeted attacks. As Luke Taylor notes, police are pursuing every lead, and his family may soon see justice.

Watch the full interview above for more on how this ambush unfolded and what investigators are doing next.