A young woman who died in a violent brawl has been remembered by friends as a quiet person who never caused any trouble.
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 centre.
It is understood Ms Chol was attending a party in an apartment building on A’Beckett Street when a second group crashed the event.
Ms Chol, from Pakenham, ultimately died from what police have called ‘assault related injuries’
‘She kept her family together, she was the eldest sibling, she’s not known for causing trouble, she doesn’t rent hotels or go to parties, this was a one-off,’ she said, according to The Herald Sun.
Other friends took to social media to share their shock and devastation at the loss of their friend.
‘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 wrote.
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.
Friends have remembered Laa Chol, 19, as a quite person as they grieve after her violent death on Saturday morning
She has been remembered as being the ‘rock of her family’ in a touching social media tribute
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.
‘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.
She died from possible stab wounds following an attack in Melbourne’s CBD
It is understood the woman was injured at an apartment building on A’Beckett Street, Melbourne, with authorities being called just after 5am on Saturday
‘My understanding is this wasn’t a random attack,’ Mr 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 reports.
She was attending a party at the EQ Tower residential building (pictured), before another group crashed
Ms Chol was treated at the EQ Tower residential building by paramedics, but died from her 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 suspicious death.
She was treated at the EQ Tower residential building, but ultimately died from her injuries