A post-Christmas gathering for family and friends has ended in tragedy at Mayfield, with one man fatally stabbed in the neck and another charged with his alleged murder.
Police spent most of Friday combing the crime scene at Silsoe Street, near the intersection of Myola Street, where the 50-year-old father died outside a home about 11.20pm on Boxing Day.
Shaun Johnson, 36, who police believe to have been a friend of the 50-year-old, was arrested nearby soon after the incident.
He was charged on Friday afternoon with one count of murder and will face Newcastle bail court on Saturday morning.
The search for a weapon was continuing at the time of publication and investigators were expected to continue processing the crime scene into Friday night.
Police said the stabbing happened as a backyard social gathering was winding down.
Exactly what took place in the lead-up to the man's death is not yet clear, police said, but the 50-year-old was allegedly stabbed while in the backyard of the home before he ran to the front of the property and collapsed.
Family members including the victim's mother, who was staying in a motor home parked outside, woke to the commotion and tried to save the man, but he died at the scene.
"The man died being cared for by his friends and family and other witnesses," said Newcastle City crime manager Detective Chief Inspector Scott Parker.
Chief Inspector Parker said the man charged on Friday was previously known to police.
He said the pair had been in each other's company for several hours before the stabbing, but it was not yet clear what led to the alleged attack.
Chief Inspector Parker said the 50-year-old was "a family man" - there were children at the property at the time of the incident but investigators had found nothing to suggest any were nearby when the stabbing occurred.
"At this time, we believe there was a significant wound to the neck and obviously the deceased will be examined in due course," he said.
"It's a complete tragedy for a family having a social gathering in and around Christmas time, it's a tragedy for them.
"Family members are obviously devastated but they've certainly been very open in assisting with inquiries at this time."
A long-time friend of the 50-year-old, who asked not to be named, said the man "loved life, his mates and loved his family".
"He had a heart of gold and would help anyone in need," she said.
A nearby Silsoe Street resident told the Newcastle Herald she heard two men yelling at each other before another person - who she believed to be a woman - was heard "screaming and crying".
"They sounded completely distraught and in hysterics," she said.
"My housemate and I were about to call the police when we heard the first siren."
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