A longtime girlfriend of a man fatally attacked near downtown Red Deer describes him as an “amazing person” with a smile that could “brighten the world.”

“He touched the lives of many people,” said Heather, 24, who did want her last name used. She identified the victim as Nathan Casey, who had been her boyfriend for most of the last eight years.

“It just such a tragedy,” said an emotional Heather on Thursday. “Oh my gosh, honestly, I’m speechless.”

Casey was originally from Pugwash, N.S., and had lived in Red Deer for the last five or six years. The 27-year-old man, known as Nate Dogg to his friends, had worked on pipelines and also done landscaping and masonry work.

“He loved hockey. He loved baseball. He loved motocross. He loved his family and friends more than anything.

“I know he will be sadly missed by me and a lot of people,” said Heather, who said she had a “very special relationship” with Casey.

Police have not identified the man found injured in a vehicle about 1 a.m. on Wednesday near 55th Street and 47th Avenue. He was taken to hospital by ambulance but later died of his injuries.

An autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday in Calgary, but police have not released the cause of death yet.

The report of the injured man came shortly after police responded to another complaint of a disturbance about a block away. On arriving, they found a 41-year-old man with multiple injuries.

He was taken to hospital and is now in police custody. Investigators have determined the two incidents are connected but few details have been released.

More than a dozen friends of Casey’s posted messages to the Red Deer Advocate’s website (reddeeradvocate.com) in honour of their pal.

“I will always remember the big smile that lit his face! He was a great guy and a great friend who should still be here with all of us. I love you,” wrote someone who signed themselves as KDV.

“Another good one gone way too soon,” writes another friend posting as Stillman. “My deepest thoughts to Terri and family up at the creek. You will be remembered by all those (who) knew you.”

Several friends mention Casey’s parents Terri and Darren, who still live in Nova Scotia.

One message, signed Keiv, who was his best friend, says simply, “ Forever buddy . . . forever.”

Police have charged a Red Deer man in connection to the city’s first murder in three years.

Blair Andrew Neill, 41, is in custody and will appear in Red Deer provincial court today.

Red Deer RCMP continue to investigate a homicide.

Contact Paul Cowley at pcowley@reddeeradvocate.com