Police said on Sunday that East’s family had been informed,and were “very upset and distraught”.
According to social media profiles,East was originally from New Zealand and studied at the University of Otago,before going on to complete a Master of Laws at Harvard Law School.
He worked in New Zealand in various legal positions,including as a senior adviser for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch Terrorist Attack.
A spokeswoman for East’s employer,law firm Arnold Bloch Leibler,said staff were informed of the tragedy on Monday morning.
“In an email sent to all staff this morning,Arnold Bloch Leibler’s managing partner Henry Lanzer and managing Sydney partner Paul Rubenstein paid tribute to Mitch,describing him as a highly talented lawyer and popular and valued member of the firm,whose loss will be deeply felt,” the spokeswoman said.
“The partners expressed heartfelt condolences to Mitch’s parents,his partner and many close friends,both within and outside of Arnold Bloch Leibler.”