'Kindest soul': Tragic details reveal alleged assaults before Sydney mum's death

A man charged with domestic violence after a woman was found dead, allegedly choked his partner without her consent only weeks earlier.

A man was charged with choking his partner without her consent only weeks before her body was found inside a southwest Sydney unit, a court has been told.

Danny Zayat, 28, appeared before Liverpool Local Court on Monday after police uncovered the body of Tatiana “Tania” Dokhotaru, 28, on Saturday.

The discovery came after police received an anonymous call from a woman reporting an alleged domestic violence disturbance about 11.45pm on Friday.

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Danny Zayat, 28, has been charged with three domestic violence offences after police found him at the Liverpool apartment of his partner Tatiana Dokhotaru. Source: Instagram

Officers arrived at the Norfolk St, Liverpool address three hours later but were unable to determine where the call came from.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said police had been unable to determine the exact origin of the call at the 297-unit building.

Less than 24 hours later, officers returned to the unit block after receiving a call from the woman’s neighbour about 8pm on Saturday.

The Daily Telegraph reported that when officers arrived they found the body of 34-year-old Tatiana “Tania” Dokhotaru in the apartment.

Her partner, Danny Zayat, was arrested at the scene and charged with domestic-violence-related offences, including intimidation, breaching an AVO, and destroying or damaging property.

The court was told on Monday that Mr Zayat was now facing more than a dozen new charges, including domestic-violence-related choking without consent, assault occasioning bodily harm, and common assault.

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Tatiana "Tania" Dokhotaru was found dead in her Liverpool apartment block on Saturday night. Source: Instagram.

Accused alleged to have broke AVO

Court documents reveal Mr Zayat’s history of alleged domestic violence dating back to 2021.

Police allege Mr Zayat assaulted Ms Dokhotaru in St Marys and again months later in Leichardt, causing her actual bodily harm.

Years later, Mr Zayat is alleged to have contravened orders of an AVO and assaulted Ms Dokhotaru while the pair were in Liverpool on April 13, 2023. He was charged with causing her actual bodily harm over the alleged incident.

In the days following, Mr Zayat is alleged to have again breached the court order and was charged for intentionally choking Ms Dokhotaru without her consent.

On May 1, Mr Zayat is alleged by police to have assaulted his partner in Liverpool and to have choked her without her consent.

Two days before his arrest and the discovery of Ms Dokhotaru‘s body, Mr Zayat is alleged to have destroyed his partner’s TV, while breaching an AVO and causing fear.

RELATED: Seven domestic violence red flags

A body was discovered in a unit building located at Liverpool. Source: News Corp.

No charges laid relating to woman's death 

Mr Zayat was refused bail on Monday to reappear before the same court on Friday.

Lawyer Talal Krayem said Mr Zayat would be making a bid for release on bail at that date.

Mr Krayem told members of the media outside court that it was a “tragic set of circumstances”.

Police are looking at how Ms Dokhotaru died, and no charges relating to her death have been made.

“At this stage we are confined to the people located in the unit,” Mr Smith said.

“We will continue with the investigation.

A critical incident investigation has also been formed to assess the response of police after they received the initial “priority three” call.

“This morning I was briefed at about 5am, and about 8.40am I declared a critical incident investigation, additional to the homicide investigation,” Mr Smith said.

“The reason for the investigation is the priority given to the initial triple-0 call.

“The investigation will establish the timeline for me.”

The critical incident investigation will be subject to independent review.

In the wake of Ms Dokhotaru’s death, many followers took to Instagram to pay tribute.

“Rest in peace,” Chloe Bohuslav said.

“I feel sick to my stomach I was deadset just talking about you the other day.

“My heart is broken. Best mum you were and the kindest soul.

“Rest in peace Tatiana Dokhotaru.”

Another user by the name @inkbeautyamber said she would deeply miss Ms Dokhotaru.

“You had such a big heart and deserved the world,” she said.

Originally published as 'Kindest soul': Tragic details reveal alleged assaults before Sydney mum's death