NSW stabbing victim 'came to aid' of woman earlier in night

The investigation into the stabbing death of NSW man Greg Gibbins on the Central Coast has reportedly shifted focus to an incident earlier in the night, when he came to the aid of a woman.

The 28-year-old car spray painter was fatally stabbed in the chest late on Sunday night in Toukley after attending a music festival.

Police originally said the attack had been completely unprovoked.

Bradley James Brooks, 20, was charged with murder over the incident and remains in custody.

However, investigators are now looking at an incident earlier in the night to establish if there was a connection, News Corp has reported.

It is believed Gibbins may have earlier come to the aid of a woman being harrassed.

Detectives are also examining CCTV footage and have called for witnesses.

Gibbins' long-time friend Brendon Villiers said he was "devastated".

"He wasn’t the sort of guy that went out of his way looking for anything bad," he said.