Police are treating death of Paul Grapsas, 40, as suspicious and have asked anyone with information to come forward

The family of a Victorian man killed during a late-night dog walk in Geelong is pleading for witnesses to come forward to help catch the culprit.

Paul Grapsas, 40, was found dead on Friday morning next to his car after leaving his Western Beach Road home late on Thursday evening.

His wife made the grim discovery after waking about 4am to find the dog had returned from the walk but he had not.

The father of two had head injuries and police are treating his death as suspicious.

With his suspected killer or killers still on the loose, Grapsas’s grief-stricken family described him as a man of integrity and requested privacy.

“He was a devoted father of two beautiful young children and expecting a third on the way and had just received a promotion at his workplace,” they said in a statement on Monday.

“Known and respected in the community, [he was] a skilled sportsman who loved golf, fishing and video games. Paul will be dearly and desperately missed by all those he loved and who loved him.

“We urge anyone with information between Thursday evening and early Friday morning to contact Victoria Police.”