Murder of Israeli student shares terrifying similarities to rape and murder of Eurydice Dixon

How the murder of an Israeli student, 21, as she walked home shares terrifying similarities to the brutal rape and killing of actress Eurydice Dixon

  • Israeli Aya Masarwe, 21, was reportedly on her way home from a comedy show
  • Eurydice Dixon, 22, was- on her way home from a comedy show when attacked
  • Both women were alone and apparently walking through parkland 
  • Jaymes Todd followed Ms Dixon from Flinders Street Station before raping her
  • Police think Ms Masarwe might have been stalked from Flinders Street Station  

The seemingly random murder of Israeli student Aya Masarwe shares shocking similarities to that of Eurydice Dixon. 

It has been revealed today that Ms Masarwe, 21, had been on her way home from a comedy show in North Melbourne when she was abducted and murdered in parkland near Bundoora shopping centre. 

The murder of Ms Dixon at Carlton North’s Princes Park in June sent shockwaves across the country. 

Eurydice Dixon had performed at a comedy show before she was stalked, raped and murdered

Israeli student Aya Masarwe had attended a comedy show before she was stalked and murdered

Israeli student Aya Masarwe had attended a comedy show before she was stalked and murdered

Ms Dixon – who was just a year older than Ms Masarwe – had been performing at a comedy show in Melbourne when she decided to walk home from Flinders Street Station. 

Jaymes Todd followed her for some 5km across the city before attacking her as she crossed through parkland. 

Like Ms Dixon, police believe Ms Masarwe may have been followed as she boarded the 86 tram from the city at around 11pm on Tuesday.

She was on her phone talking to her sister when her killer struck in Bundoora after getting off the tram.  

While Ms Masarwe’s body was found near the shopping centre, a secondary crime scene was established in heavy bushland in Bundoora Park last night.

Police are investigating whether Ms Masarwe was sexually assaulted before being murdered. 

Jill Meagher was walking home in 2012 when she was raped and murdered on Hope Street

Jill Meagher was walking home in 2012 when she was raped and murdered on Hope Street

Her attack also shares chilling similarity to the brutal murder of Jill Meagher, who was raped and murdered while walking home in Brunswick in 2012.

Ms Meagher was just  29 when serial sex offender Adrian Ernest Bayley chased her down Sydney Rd.

Like Ms Masarwe, Ms Meagher had been on her phone when Bayley approached. 

In November, Todd, 19, a former hospitality student from Broadmeadows, pleaded guilty to the murder, rape, attempted rape and sexual assault of Ms Dixon.

Dixon had been oblivious that she was being followed by Todd, who kept his distance as he stalked her across the city. 

Jaymes Todd (right) following his arrest over the rape and murder of Eurydice Dixon

Jaymes Todd (right) following his arrest over the rape and murder of Eurydice Dixon

Adrian Bayley was convicted of the rape and murder of Jill Meagher. He received a 35-year minimum sentence

Adrian Bayley was convicted of the rape and murder of Jill Meagher. He received a 35-year minimum sentence

Like Bayley did to Ms Meagher, Todd strangled the life out of his victim.

It remains unclear exactly how Ms Masarwe was murdered, but police said it was obvious she had been assaulted. 

Ms Dixon’s murder sparked a national outpouring of grief with a vigil at the park where she died attracting more than 5000 people.

Her killer is yet to be sentenced. 

 

 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk