UPDATE: A chilling incident unfolded in southwest Sydney when a young child reported hearing screams before discovering a woman dead on a couch. The victim, Tatiana “Tanya” Dokhotaru, 34, was pronounced dead on May 2023, as authorities investigate her ex-partner, Danny Zayat, 30, for her alleged murder.
The harrowing details emerged during a NSW Supreme Court trial, revealing a volatile history of threats and violence in the couple’s relationship. Just before her death, Dokhotaru made a distressing triple-zero call, signaling the urgency of her situation. On May 2023, paramedics found her lifeless in her Liverpool apartment, with evidence suggesting she died from blunt-force head trauma.
In a heart-wrenching police interview, the child, who cannot be identified, recounted hearing Dokhotaru scream for help the night before. “We heard her screaming… ‘help me, help me’,” the child said, emphasizing the desperation of the situation. When the child discovered Dokhotaru’s body the next morning, they found her with blood around her nose and attempted to wake her.
“No waking up,” the child stated during the interview.
The trial revealed that the couple had a history of conflict, with reports of a violent argument the night before Dokhotaru’s death involving a broken television and vase. During subsequent questioning, the child noted Zayat’s unusual behavior, claiming he was “fake crying” when police arrived, casting doubt on his emotional response to the crisis.
Dokhotaru’s mother, Olya Dokhotaru, and stepfather, Denis Thievin, testified about the abusive nature of her relationship with Zayat. Olya recounted overhearing Zayat threaten to kill Dokhotaru if she did not return home, labeling her with derogatory terms. “I can’t imagine that a young man can speak like that with his wife,” she expressed, highlighting the emotional turmoil Dokhotaru endured.
In a disturbing video shared with the court, Dokhotaru displayed bruises around her neck, indicating potential physical abuse. Weeks before her death, she texted her mother about “bad bruising,” claiming she had fallen over a vacuum cleaner, a statement that raises further questions about her safety.
Zayat, who has pleaded not guilty to murder and denied any involvement in physical violence towards Dokhotaru, faces an alternative charge of manslaughter. The prosecution presented evidence that he called triple-zero the day after her death, attempting CPR, while exhibiting signs of distress when police arrived.
As the trial continues, the court is examining the circumstances surrounding Dokhotaru’s death, with an autopsy revealing her fatal injuries were hastened but not solely caused by various substances in her system.
The implications of this case extend beyond the courtroom, underscoring the urgent need for support for those affected by domestic violence. If you or someone you know is in need of help, contact 1800 RESPECT at 1800 737 732 or Lifeline at 13 11 14.
This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.
