James's sister Phoenix Paul set up a GoFundMe in the aftermath, pleading for help to repatriate her brother's body to his homeland in New Zealand.
Taking to social media, Paul shared a photo of her brother, writing "tell me a story about the worst nightmare you've ever had".
"Fill that story with every little detail. Tell me I didn't fail to protect you, tell me you're right around the corner, tell me it's all just a dream," she wrote.
"Brother, I can never be the same without you. How can I ever possibly heal a wound that I can't see, how am I meant to stop this wave of emptiness."
The family are hoping to raise AUD$10,000 to cover funeral and travel expenses to lay the man to rest "at home in Rotorua".
"We need any and all support to take him home from Brisbane back to New Zealand," the family wrote on GoFundMe.
"We want to provide more depth and details to his passing, once more becomes clear to us.
"It's hard having to reach out for help, but all we can say is that any help big or small is more than appreciated."
Some donors left touching tributes to the slain man, remembering him as "cheeky" and "always smiling".