Karl Stefanovic chokes up over alleged murder of Wangaratta girl Zoe Buttigieg

A MILDURA man charged with the rape and murder of 11-year-old Wangaratta girl Zoe Buttigieg has appeared in court.

A MILDURA man charged with the rape and murder of 11-year-old Wangaratta girl Zoe Buttigieg has appeared in court.

Bowe Maddigan, 29, has been remanded in custody until February next year.

He is facing charges of murder, sexual penetration and an indecent act on a child under the age of 16.

He had been under police guard in a psychiatric ward since Sunday.

Today show co-host Karl Stefanovic choked up on air this morning while reporting on the alleged rape and murder of Wangaratta girl Zoe.

He had to take a moment when recounting Zoe’s tragic death, saying “look at that face,” as an image of the little girl flashed on screen.

“Zoe was 11 and she was allegedly raped and killed,” Stefanovic said.

“She’ll never graduate from high school, she will never get married, she will never have kids of her own.”

Pausing to regain his composure, the father-of-three added, “She’s one year older than my daughter. Zoe Buttigieg we can only hope you rest in peace.”

On Saturday night the home in which Zoe lived was full of people enjoying a rowdy party. Within hours of it ending, there was another noise that pierced the neighbourhood.

The screaming started just before 11am on Sunday on Inchbold Street, Wangaratta, in Victoria’s north-east.

One neighbour said they heard “wailing, a terrible, terrifying scream”.

Zoe was found dead in a bedroom by her mother Janelle Saunders, and police were called. By the time the body was discovered, Mr Maddigan had already been arrested after being found walking barefoot in a singlet and cargo shorts along Hume Freeway. He had been invited to the party but apparently wasn’t close to the family.

Zoe is believed to have been murdered after the party ended.

Zoe was often spotted playing outside with her dog.

Zoe Buttigieg was found dead in a bedroom.

It is believed Zoe had lived with her mother in the home for about three years.

The house was known for its partying. Neighbour Jenelle Robinson told The Border Mail gatherings were held at the property “every second week”.

At other times though it was a typical suburban home, where Zoe could be seen playing with her dog on the street or sitting on a letterbox.

Sunday, however, the house was crawling with homicide detectives and crime scene specialists trying to piece together the events of the night before and how a young girl’s life was cut tragically short.

Tributes left outside the Inchbold Street home where Zoe Buttigieg died.

Police and forensic teams at the house on Sunday.

The community has responded to the horror with an outpouring of grief and support for Zoe’s family.

As many as 500 people gathered at Kirwanis Park, close to the family home, on Tuesday night for a candlelit vigil in Zoe’s memory. Her classmates and other children joined community leaders to leave flowers and messages.

In a statement released on Wednesday, before the man was charged, the girl’s family thanked police and emergency services.

“Zoe’s family would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Wangaratta police, the homicide squad and paramedics who attended the scene,” the statement said.

“Their continuing support during this terrible time in our lives has just been extraordinary.

“We are overwhelmed by the community support and would like to say a huge thank you to those who organised and attended the candlelight vigil at the park that Zoe always enjoyed playing at.

“We are so very touched and thankful for all the personal messages and tributes and for the concern which has been shown for the wellbeing of the family. Zoe’s mother would like to personally thank all who have stood by her.”

Young relatives left tributes of their own on Facebook.

“Our little cousin squeaky, just Saturday we saw what a beautiful young lady you had become, it was so hard to say good bye to then and now it’s even harder knowing we will not see your beautiful cheeky smile again ... Love you always and forever,” wrote Stacey Lee Buttigieg.

“Your up in heaven now baby god I miss u I couldn’t stop talking about how much I missed u! U were my sister I can’t believe your gone,” said Chloe Lee Buttigieg.

Others shared their outrage at another child dying a violent death.

Originally published as Karl Stefanovic chokes up over alleged murder of Wangaratta girl Zoe Buttigieg