A homeless man finally turning his life around after 20 years living on the streets was 'brutally murdered' inside his new home.

Mark 'Sharky' Russell was stabbed several times at his house in Sydney and his body was found the morning after 'arguing or yelling' was heard coming from the property.

Homicide detectives provided an update on the investigation on Sunday are are hunting multiple suspects they believe responsible for the 53-year-old's murder at the Surry Hills apartment.

Mark 'Sharky' Russell was stabbed several times at his new flat in Surry Hills after spending 20 years on the streets in Sydney

His family are pleading for answers about what happened to Sharky - nicknamed because of his love for his footy team Cronulla Sharks.

It comes as Sharky was remembered at a memorial service in Woolloomooloo on Saturday.

A shrine featured pictures and Sharks memorabilia including a ball and teddy bear wearing the club's light blue colours.

It also remembered a man with a sense of humour and his love for weird hats.

Mr Russell's sister, Julie Ann Stewart, spoke of the heartbreak over what had happened as he was 'getting back on his feet' and had it taken away.

A shrine featuring memorabilia of the Cronulla Sharks - Mr Russell's favourite footie team - was at the memorial service held in Woolloomooloo on Saturday

'Those who knew Mark, would know he had done it pretty tough over the years, but we felt like his luck was changing when he finally got a place of his own,' she said.

'It's heartbreaking for us knowing he was getting back on his feet, and then someone – or some people – viciously attacked him and took away his chance of a long and happy life.

'On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone who have assisted police with this investigation so far, and hope that anyone else who knows something does the right thing and tells police.'

Mrs Stewart said her brother was a 'fun and loving'person and the number of mourners at his service showed 'how many people liked him'.

Sharky's son Shayne Dodds (left) and his sister, Julie Ann Stewart (right) with homicide squad commander Scott Cook (centre) at NSW Police headquarters in Sydney on Sunday

'It was amazing,' she added.

She also revealed his troubles had stemmed from a childhood spent in and out of care, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

Mrs Stewart added her brother still spent time meeting with his homeless friends at Tom Uren Place - a meeting place and homeless community in Woolloomooloo.

Family members including Sharky's two children, son Shayne Dodds, 35, and his daughter Abbey, were at the memorial service.

Police were called to Mr Russell's unit in Clisdell Street, in Surry Hills. at around 11am on February 25 - 13 hours after the reported arguing took place.

The body was found and a post-mortem revealed he died of multiple stab wounds.

Detective Superintendent Scott Cook, of NSW Police, said they have gathered 'a significant amount of footage' with the help of the community, who he said 'have made clear that they too want to know what happened'.

Police were called to the unit in Clisdell Street, in Surry Hills. at around 11am on February 25

But he said they still wanted to trace down additional evidence to try and piece together the events which led to Mr Russell's death.

Det Superindent Cook said: 'This is a fairly busy residential area of Surry Hills, and we want to hear from anyone who was in the area, particularly on the Saturday afternoon and evening, and noticed anything out of the ordinary.'

Initial inquiries have established there was a 'group of people' inside the property at around 10pm Saturday, February 24.

Witnesses said there had been visitors to Mr Russell's apartment throughout the day but it is not known if they were the same people who were there later in the evening.

Detective Superintendent Cook said the force was determined to bring those responsible before the courts.

A murder weapon has not been found, police said.

Anyone with information to share with detectives can be made in person at Surry Hills Police station, or by calling 02 9265 4144, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.



