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Student who was found dead near shops was on phone to sister when she was attacked


Police have revealed an Israeli student who was murdered in Melbourne’s north was on the phone to her sister when the attack took place.

Aiia Maasarwe, 21, was an Isareli national whose body was found by passers-by in Bundoora, about 16 kilometres northeast of Melbourne’s CBD about 7am on Wednesday.

“I think it’s been reported, and it is accurate that she was actually talking to her sister and we’re pretty certain that she was actually involved in a conversation with her sister who was overseas at the time that the attack actually took place,” Detective Inspector Stamper said in a press conference on Thursday.

“Sadly, her sister was talking to her, the phone then appeared to fall to the ground and she couldn’t contact her, so we think that’s the time.

Bundoora murder: Aiia Maasarwe's (pictured) body was found in Bundoora, north east of Melbourne's CBD on Wednesday.
Aiia Maasarwe’s body was found in Bundoora in Melbourne’s northeast on Wednesday. Source: 7News

“I think they were just catching up and just talking in general.

“She heard the sound of the phone falling to the ground and she heard some voices and that was it.”

Police say Ms Maasarwe was likely approached at about 12.10am on Wednesday.

Police confirmed her sister, who was overseas, alerted authorities.

Friends gave her a lift to tram stop

Detective Inspector Stamper revealed she was driven by friends from the Comics Lounge to a tram stop in Bourke Street where she caught the 86 tram bound for Bundoora about 10.50pm on Tuesday night.

Her body was found a “short walk of less than 50 metres to the place on the pavement where we believe that the attack commenced.” She was just over a kilometre from her home, police confirmed.

Police believe Ms Maasarwe got off the tram at the intersection of Main and Plenty Road at the Polaris shopping centre in Bundoora, but refused to confirm if a weapon was used.

Bundoora murder: Aiia (pictured) was on the phone to her sister overseas when she was attacked.
Aiia (pictured) was on the phone to her sister overseas when she was attacked. Source: Instagram/aia0206

Mysterious cap and t-shirt found at the scene

Detectives have released images of a T-shirt and cap which were found at the scene. Police believe it is likely these items were left behind by Ms Maasarwe’s attacker.

The items were recovered on Wednesday in a police line search and police are “very satisfied” that the offender wore these items during the crime and disposed of soon after.

“We have very good reason to believe these items were discarded by the offender for this crime,” Detective Inspector Stamper said in the press conference on Thursday.

“This is the key to solving this crime.

“Somebody in the community knows who did this.

“Somebody’s come home on Tuesday night, or the early hours of Wednesday morning, maybe with blood on them, missing items of clothing.

Bundoora murder: Police released images of a cap and t-shirt (pictured) which they believe may have been left by the woman's attacker.
Police released images of a cap and T-shirt which they believe may have been left by the woman’s attacker. Source: Victoria Police

The T-shirt is described as being dark coloured on the shoulders and sleeves with a light grey body. It is from the Cotton On Active Wear brand and is believed to be a few years old.

The black trucker cap has ‘1986’ printed on the front.

Forensic testing is also being conducted on the clothing and police believe it is likely to have been left there by the person responsible for Ms Maasarwe’s death.

“There will be someone out there who has seen a person wearing this clothing, and we really need them to come forward and provide us with that information,” Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said.

“If you have information about the identity of this person then I urge you to tell us.

“We have a grieving family who has had to fly halfway across the world under the most horrific circumstances and we want to be able to give them some answers.”

CCTV images show woman’s outfit

Police have also released CCTV images showing the clothing the woman was wearing on the night of the attack, in the hope that someone will have information about her movements.

The CCTV photos show Ms Maasarwe wearing a light coloured T-shirt and darker clothing on her bottom half.

Israeli student murdered in Melbourne: Police release CCTV images showing Ms Maasarwe's outfit.
Police release CCTV images showing Ms Maasarwe’s outfit. Source: Victoria Police

Appeal for witnesses

Police are still keen to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of Main Drive and Plenty Road between 11pm last night and 1am this morning.

This includes anyone driving through the area, particularly the intersection of Plenty Road and Main Drive or the Polaris Shopping Centre, and may have dashcam footage.

They also wish to anyone who may have been on the 86 tram which travels from the Melbourne CBD to Bundoora.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Ms Masarwe was studying at Shanghai University, and spent the past several months in Melbourne on a study-abroad program, according to her uncle Abed Katane.

She was studying at La Trobe University, police confirmed.

Police said family members flew in from overseas on Thursday morning to identify the body and have nor released details of her injuries out of respect to her family.

Police said they are working closely with Yarra Trams, with regards to CCTV footage. Police says it is possible the attacker was on the tram but they are still pursuing this line of inquiry.

with AAP

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