Manhunt underway after teenage girl was stabbed to death in a city apartment block

A manhunt is underway after a woman was stabbed to death in a high-rise brawl. 

Laa Chol, 19, died after a fight broke out between two groups of African-Australians in the early hours of Saturday morning in Melbourne’s city centre.

It is understood Ms Chol was attending a party at the EQ Tower when a second group crashed the event.

Police have interviewed a dozen partygoers and are combing through evidence after the party spiralled out of control.

Laa Chol, 19, died after a fight broke out between two groups of African-Australians in the early hours of Saturday morning in Melbourne’s city centre 

It is understood Ms Chol was attending a party at the EQ Tower on A'Beckett Street when a second group crashed the event 

It is understood Ms Chol was attending a party at the EQ Tower on A’Beckett Street when a second group crashed the event 

A group of young African-Australians, aged in their late teens and early 20s, had rented the apartment for the party before the fight broke out.

The second group left the apartment before police arrive, but detectives are confident CCTV footage will help them make an arrest.

Ms Chol was remembered by devastated friends as a ‘beautiful soul’ in touching tributes. 

Friends took to social media to share their shock and devastation at her death.

‘Never thought Friday would be my last time on earth seeing you, you were such a beautiful soul & didn’t deserve any of this,’ Shushu Kishak posted.

Authorities were called to the scene of the rented 56th-floor apartment shortly after 5am on Saturday morning. 

Ms Chol, from Pakenham, ultimately died from what commander of the North West Metro region Tim Hansen called ‘assault related injuries’.

She was stabbed to death, according to unverified reports.

Police reported that 12 people were helping them with their inquiries but said the alleged offender was not likely part of that group.

Further tributes poured in via social media on Saturday, with many taking to Facebook to pay their respects.

‘Hard time for all her family and friends, when they came here to give their kids a better life,’ one said.

Friends have remembered Laa Chol, 19, as a quite person as they grieve her violent death on Saturday morning

Friends have remembered Laa Chol, 19, as a quite person as they grieve her violent death on Saturday morning

‘Very sad for any young person to lose their life,’ said another.

‘So very sad, she was an amazing young lady to know, will be sadly missed by all,’ another wrote.

‘My understanding is this wasn’t a random attack,’ Victoria Police Commander Tim Hansen told reporters.

‘There’s no sign of forced entry but we’re trying to clarify what brought [the second group] there.’

Mr Hansen further noted that the only known link between the two groups was that both groups were of ‘African-Australian heritage’ and all were aged around 19-20 years old, News.com.au reported.

Ms Chol was treated at the EQ Tower residential building by paramedics, but died from her injuries.

Ms Chol, from Pakenham, ultimately died from what police have called 'assault related injuries'

Ms Chol, from Pakenham, ultimately died from what police have called ‘assault related injuries’

While the exact circumstances of the incident are yet to be released, a resident of the apartment building told the Herald Sun she heard prolonged and ‘horrendous’ screams. 

‘It went on for about 20 minutes,’ the woman said.  

‘You couldn’t hear anything but this horrendous screaming… I just thought they were drunk.

‘They were shouting and screaming and the girl’s scream was incredibly loud … just screeching.’ 

Homicide squad detectives are investigating the death.

She died from possible stab wounds following an attack in Melbourne's CBD

She died from possible stab wounds following an attack in Melbourne’s CBD

 



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