In the days following the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Alex Pretti outside a Perth nightclub on January 15, 2026, a starkly different picture of the victim has emerged—one that has left friends, family, and the wider public reeling. What was initially portrayed in media tributes and early reports as the life of a kind, dedicated nurse devoted to his patients and community has been shattered by explosive accounts from those closest to him, painting a far more complex—and troubling—portrait.

Pretti, who worked night shifts at a major Perth hospital, was remembered in initial statements as “a gentle soul who always put others first” and “someone who lit up every room he entered.” Colleagues described him as hardworking and compassionate, while friends posted heartfelt memories of his laughter and generosity. That carefully curated image, however, began to crack within 48 hours of his death when several members of his inner circle—former roommates, ex-partners, and longtime friends—came forward with statements to police and, in some cases, to media outlets.

The revelations center on a private life marked by volatility, substance abuse, and alleged involvement in Perth’s underground party and drug scene. Multiple sources close to Pretti claim he had been struggling with methamphetamine addiction for at least three years, a habit that allegedly escalated during the pressures of pandemic-era nursing and long hospital shifts. One former housemate told investigators that Pretti frequently hosted late-night gatherings at their shared rental property, where large quantities of ice and other drugs were consumed. “He was charming and generous when he was sober,” the source said, speaking anonymously. “But when he was using, he became paranoid, aggressive, and reckless. The last few months were especially bad.”

Further accounts describe Pretti’s relationships as turbulent. An ex-partner, who dated him on and off for two years, alleged that he exhibited controlling behavior, including monitoring her phone and becoming verbally abusive during arguments fueled by drug use. She told police she had ended contact six months before his death after an incident in which he allegedly threatened self-harm if she left. Another friend claimed Pretti had borrowed large sums of money from people in his circle to fund his habit, with some debts reportedly still unpaid at the time of his death.

Perhaps most disturbing are claims that Pretti’s presence at the nightclub on the night he was killed was tied to a drug-related dispute. Witnesses and police sources say the altercation that preceded the shooting stemmed from a confrontation over unpaid debts or a deal gone wrong—details still under active investigation. Detectives have not ruled out the possibility that Pretti’s lifestyle placed him in the path of dangerous individuals connected to the city’s illicit drug trade.

The disclosures have triggered a wave of shock and reevaluation. Online forums and social media groups once filled with tributes now grapple with conflicting narratives. “We thought we knew him,” one former colleague posted. “Now it feels like we were all blind.” Others defend Pretti, arguing that addiction is a disease and should not overshadow his professional contributions or the tragedy of his violent death.

Perth Police have confirmed they are examining these new statements as part of the homicide investigation but have urged the public to avoid speculation that could prejudice proceedings. No arrests have been made, though officers say they are following “strong leads” related to the altercation.

For those who knew Alex Pretti in different lights, the revelations have forced painful reflection. A man once celebrated for his caring nature is now remembered through a fractured lens—kind nurse by day, deeply troubled individual by night. As the investigation continues, the public is left with an uncomfortable truth: behind every carefully curated image can lie layers of complexity, pain, and darkness that even those closest to someone never fully understand.