Allegedly murdered Mernda woman Celeste Manno farewelled by family, friends
The mother of a woman allegedly stabbed to death by a former work colleague has spoken of the heartbreaking moment she knew her ‘sweetie’ was gone.
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The heartbroken mum of Melbourne woman Celeste Manno, who was allegedly stabbed to death by a former work colleague in her bedroom, has shared the tragic moment she knew her “sweetie” was gone.
The 23-year-old’s mum, Aggie, was home at the time police will allege Luay Sako, 35, smashed the window to their family home in Mernda while they were sleeping and killed Ms Manno in the early hours of November 16.
Ms Manno was farewelled by devastated family, friends and colleagues at a service in Whittlesea on Monday.
During an emotional tribute to her baby girl, Celete’s mum said she thought she was having a “horrible nightmare” when she first heard the shattering of the glass as she slept.
She said it wasn’t until she heard her daughter gasping that she realised it was real.
“I couldn’t believe what I walked into because you were lifeless,” she told mourners on Monday.
“I’m never going to get that image out of my head. The look in your eyes was so distant. I knew you were gone but I didn’t want to believe it.
“I couldn’t be losing you and I was praying sweetie, I was praying with everything that I could to bring you back.
“Your little eyes were open but I could see you were gone. While I was waiting for that ambulance I tried to breathe life back into you.
“When I heard that faint sound come out of you I thought I still had a chance but when those paramedics came in, sweetie, and I saw the look they gave each other and I heard them cancel whatever they cancelled, they knew.
“I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine the horror you must have felt.”
Ms Manno’s mum vowed to get the justice her daughter deserved.
“I will get you the justice you deserve, I will fight until I do, (but) no matter what sweetie, there’s no amount of justice that can get you back,” she said.
“I don’t know how I’m going to go on without you here. I love you sweetie, I miss you more than words can say.”
Ms Manno’s younger brother and best friend, Alessandro, promised that everything he did from here on was for his sister.
“Every basketball game I play from here on I’ll picture you in the stands like you always were cheering me on,” he said.
“You were my sister, my best friend and most importantly the most amazing, beautiful person in my life and I can’t believe you’re gone and I can’t hug and kiss you every day after you come home from work.”
Older brother Jayden said their grief they carried in their heart was “immeasurable, impossible to justify and even harder to accept”.
“Your bright personality, infectious smile and incredible kindness touched absolutely everyone you met,” he said.
“We are the luckiest people on earth to have had you in our lives at all. You were your family’s rock, pillar of strength and protector.”
Homicide squad detectives have charged Mr Sako with murder.
He remains in custody and will next face court in April next year.
Originally published as Allegedly murdered Mernda woman Celeste Manno farewelled by family, friends
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