A Melbourne family is mourning the loss of a father of two, who was found dead next to a picnic table at a playground in Melbourne’s south-west this morning.

Those close to Anmoral Bajwa said he was picked up from his Mambourin home last night and never returned.

A man, believed to be known to him, has been taken into custody after the 36-year-old’s body was found at a playground near Elementary Road, Mambourin about 7.30am.

Anmoral’s brother, Amandeep Bajwa, said the 36-year-old’s young family was struggling to come to grips with the loss.

“Imagine [a] six-year-old kid, she doesn’t know,” Bajwa said.

“She is asking us, ‘When is papa going to come home?’ We have no answer.

“We never would have thought it would be happening to us … I can’t believe he is not around.”

Bajwa said the family was unsure why anyone would want to hurt the avid cricket player, who was captain of his team.

“[It’s] very sad for us, for the community … we both moved here in 2009 for a better life here

“He never fight with anyone, he was always chilling.

“He was very lovely, happy person, always smiling … the best brother I have in the world.”

Residents told 9News they heard yelling in the park last night, before Anmoral’s body was found.

Detectives spent hours today combing for clues in the large crime scene, which was set up just metres from a primary school and minutes from Anmoral’s home.

A fundraiser has been set up to support his wife, two-year-old son and six-year-old daughter.

Police are keen to speak to anyone from the area who may have CCTV or dash-cam footage.