Musician dies in train stabbing

By Ed Merrison andDion Teasdale
Former Healesville resident Darren Jones was fatally stabbed on a Lilydale-bound train near Box Hill about 1.20pm on Thursday, 23 February.
Mr Jones, who was soon to celebrate his 29th birthday, grew up and went to school in Healesville, where his mother, Annette, still lives.
He moved to Belgrave about five years ago and was living with his girlfriend, Kate Salisbury, and 20-month-old son, Jett, at the time of his death.
Mr Jones’ 24-year-old sister Jess said her brother was an excellent family man and friend.
“He always told us he loved us. He was a great brother and a really good son, and so good for his girlfriend Kate and little boy. He was an amazing father,” she said.
The grandson of accomplished trumpeter Kingsley Jones, Mr Jones was two weeks into a three-year Bachelor of Music Performance degree at the Victorian College of the Arts.
Healesville Primary School principal, Howard Jones, who taught Darren for three years at Chum Creek Primary School, said he had fond memories of his former pupil.
“Darren was a gentle fellow. He was a friend to everyone and his family is devastated by his death,” he said.
Healesville resident Chelsea McNabb, a close friend of Mr Jones’, said his death was a great loss to the Yarra Valley.
“It is tragically sad that this has happened,” she said.
Ms McNabb, one of the organisers of last weekend’s Mt Toolebewong Festival, said her friend’s presence was greatly missed.
“Darren was due to perform at the festival. It was very sad that he couldn’t,” she said.
“The sister of one of his best mates sang a beautiful tribute song in his honour and it was very moving.”
Kilsyth resident Cory James Acuna, 23, has been charged with one count of murder and appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 24 February.
He was remanded to appear again on Thursday, 18 May.