A young father whose life support was switched off after he was stabbed has been identified, as his grieving family struggles to come to terms with his death.

Shannon Royal, 28, was found with a stab wound to his neck on Calimo St, North Albury, NSW, about 1am on Sunday, September 27.

He was treated at the scene, including CPR, before being taken to hospital in a critical condition.

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Shannon’s family never imagined he would not survive after police arrived at their door in the early hours of the morning to tell them he had been seriously injured.

Shannon Royal shared a close bond with his two young children and his parents. Credit: Supplied

“He was one of my best friends,” his sister Shantelle Royal told 7NEWS.com.au.

“I don’t mean that in a cliche way, but generally me and Shannon were pretty damn close.

“When we had no one, we had each other.”

Shantelle said she had always felt protective of her older brother, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a young age.

She described him as a strong person who had faced challenges throughout his life, and said their bond had remained close as they grew up.

The family eventually moved to Albury, with Shannon joining them a year or two later before settling in the area with his partner at the time.

Now, Shantelle says, the family including her siblings Taylor, 29, Cory, 34, and Renee, 26, is left trying to navigate life without him, while his two young children face growing up without their father.

“They’re always going to have this big emptiness,” she said.

“I just thought of those beautiful kids that have to grow up without their father, who loved them so dearly.”

‘We never thought he wasn’t going to make it’

Shantelle said police arrived at the home of her parents, Peter and Nicole Royal, hours after the stabbing, requesting to come inside.

Her mother knew something was seriously wrong, but did not initially understand the full extent of what had happened.

“I think Dad understood straight away when the police were informing them,” Shantelle recalled.

“But my mum refused to believe that.”

Shantelle said her parents drove about an hour to the hospital from their home in Yarrawonga, arriving that morning.

The family’s hopes were shattered when doctors first discussed flying Shannon to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne for further treatment, before later telling them his brain damage was catastrophic and he would not recover.

“They told us it’s not good, and that he won’t wake up from all the damage that happened to his brain,” Shantelle said.

For about a week, the family held on to hope while Shannon remained on life support.

“We all just prayed and still had as much hope as we could,” she said.

The family made the heartbreaking decision to switch off Shannon’s life support on October 4, with a murder investigation now underway.

Shannon Royal is pictured with his mother, Nicole. Credit: Facebook

Shantelle said the loss had left her family struggling with grief and the trauma of what happened to Shannon that night.

“We all have nightmares,” she said. “I dream about it most nights.”

She said the family wanted answers about what had happened to Shannon and hoped an arrest would bring some measure of relief.

“Nothing could ever compare to Shannon’s life,” she said.

“Even if they find the one who did it and they cop life in jail, that would still never compare to Shannon’s life.

“But it will bring us a sense of closure ... really the only relief we’re going to be able to get from this situation.”

Family wants to bring Shannon home

The family has launched a GoFundMe appeal to help cover the costs of Shannon’s funeral and to bring him home to be laid to rest where he grew up.

“There are no words to describe the heartbreak of losing someone we love so deeply, especially in such devastating circumstances,” the fundraiser says.

“Shannon leaves behind two beautiful young children who should have had so many more years with their dad.

“We want to bring Shannon home to the place where he grew up, so he can be laid to rest surrounded by family, loved ones, and the place he once called home.”

The family hopes to bring Shannon home to Riddells Creek for a final farewell surrounded by loved ones.

“His life was taken far too soon, and the pain of knowing how much life he had left to live is something our family will carry forever.”

Shantelle said the family hoped any money left over from the fundraiser could go towards Shannon’s two children.

They also hope to repair and sell a car Shannon had recently bought, with the money going to his kids.

Shannon Royal was found with a stab wound to the neck on Calimo St in North Albury, prompting a murder investigation after his death. Credit: Supplied

She said the family wanted to support the children as they grew up and help keep their father’s memory alive.

“I’m godmother to one of them. It’s my duty to, as these kids grow, help them with their faith and with life, and be there for them,” she said.

“We’re so grateful to everyone who has donated, sent their condolences or reached out with love and support.

“While nothing can make this better, the support has meant so much to our family and is helping ease the financial burden during this incredibly difficult time.”

Police renew appeal for information

NSW Police established a crime scene at the address where Shannon was stabbed, with Murray River Police District detectives and the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad launching an investigation under Strike Force Metron.

In a renewed appeal on October 10, police urged anyone who was in the area at the time, or had information that could assist investigators, to come forward.

No arrests had been made over Shannon’s death at the time of publication.

Investigators are particularly seeking CCTV, mobile phone or dashcam footage.

With no arrests made, Shantelle said the thought of the person responsible still being free added to the family’s anguish.

“We as a family would also hate for any other family to go through something like this,” she said.

“That’s a potential risk, too, while this person’s still out free. They could do this to someone else’s son, someone else’s brother or even father.”

“It is pretty important for us to find whoever did it to be held accountable.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Murray River Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.