Rapper Charged in Marrickville Murder Released Mixtape from Jail

Jacob Tammer-Spence, a 31-year-old rapper, has been identified as the man charged with the murder of Sitaleki Filihiahekava, a gifted rugby league player, in Marrickville, Sydney. The incident took place on Monday night, with Filihiahekava being fatally stabbed in front of his family and diners along the bustling road. Tammer-Spence, who previously served ten years in prison for various offenses, began creating music while incarcerated.

Operating under the stage name Snoee Badman, Tammer-Spence started uploading music videos on TikTok after receiving encouragement from his cellmate. “The music scene helped me so much, it kept me occupied… at least I was doing something positive,” he stated during a podcast interview. He also produced a mixtape titled “Three Bad Men” from his prison cell. The recordings were done by sending voice notes to producers who added beats and illustrations for music videos.

Tammer-Spence was apprehended on Wednesday afternoon in the suburb of Concord following a two-day manhunt. At the Burwood Local Court, his legal team, led by lawyer Deng Adut, a former New South Wales Australian of the Year, did not seek bail, and it was subsequently refused. Adut commented on the charges outside the court, urging a focus away from them, “Forget about the charges,” he told the media.

Filihiahekava, who played for the Mascot Juniors Rugby League club, was described by team members as a happy and friendly individual. Following his death outside the Guzman y Gomez Mexican fast-food restaurant around 7:40 PM on Monday, a vigil was held on Marrickville Road where mourners left flowers and candles. Initial investigations suggested the two men knew each other, as noted by Acting Superintendent Ben Kennis, “We believe at this point that the two people met, and the attack was somewhat targeted, it was not random in nature.”

Strike Force Nogales has been established to investigate the circumstances surrounding Filihiahekava’s death. Tammer-Spence is scheduled to reappear in court on November 8.