It had been more than 13 hours since Mahmoud Hrouk's parents had heard from the 16-year-old when they uncovered a scene of unimaginable horror.
They were told they might find their missing son at a house in Sydney's west.
When they peered in desperation through a window of the Fairfield East home on Sunday morning, they spotted a bloodied, lifeless figure.
The body had severe head injuries, making identification difficult but police now believe it belongs to Mahmoud.
The gruesome discovery has left Mahmoud's family shattered, with his sister Amani Hrouk breaking down as she paid tribute to her brother.
"He was a young, generous boy," Ms Hrouk told Channel Nine.
"Everyone loved him."
Relative Mariam Dunia said the teenager was her best friend.
"He was very loving, he was very caring," she said as her voice broke.
The Nine Network reported Mahmoud was organising with his mother to be picked up when the phone line cut out.
Investigators are trying to work out how a local teenager previously unknown to police met such a brutal end.
Mahmoud, who used to attend Granville Boys High School, last spoke to his parents on Saturday night at 9.30pm and was seen at McDonald's in Villawood at 6.30pm.
His parents reported him missing to Fairfield police on Saturday night when their calls went unanswered.
After the body was found inside the Belmore St property, Mahmoud's blue and silver bicycle was found 200m away.
Forensic officers returned to the home on Monday, taking away bags of evidence and dusting a red sedan parked on the street for fingerprints.
Neighbours say the home had become vacant in recent months but police say it wasn't a haunt for squatters.
"The information was given to us by the family that indicated he may have frequented that address," Acting Commander Steven Thomas said.
Police wouldn't confirm if a weapon had been found at the scene.
Tributes flowed for the teenager on social media.
"Never have I ever saw him angry or upset," Abdul Kabbout wrote on Facebook.
"Such a beautiful man gone at a young age."
Mohamad Hussein posted: "Rest in peace brother. Them dogs will get their day."
Police want to hear from anyone who saw Mahmoud on Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
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