Riverwood woman, 67, was on the phone to her daughter when allegedly murdered
A 67-year-old woman was on the phone to her daughter when she was allegedly stabbed to death in Sydney’s west on Sunday night.
Police & Courts
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The dying screams of an elderly woman allegedly stabbed to death on a suburban street in western Sydney could be heard by her daughter, who was on the phone to her at the time.
Lydia Gacuma, 67, was walking home from the shops along Roosevelt Ave in Riverwood, about 7.20pm on Sunday, when she was allegedly set upon with a knife by Mahmoud Eleter.
Police allege the 24-year-old man stabbed Ms Gacuma multiple times in the back and torso as she walked along the street with a walking frame.
Police sources told The Daily Telegraph that at the time she was allegedly attacked Ms Gacuma was on the phone, with her daughter listening in horror to her mum say she was “being attacked” – before hearing her screams echo down the line.
Paramedics rushed to the scene where they found the injured victim, but despite their best efforts she could not be saved.
When police arrived they allegedly located Eleter – who suffers from mental health issues – in a nearby apartment, naked and in bed, and with a shower still running in another room.
He faced Bankstown Local Court on Monday charged with one count of murder and made no application for bail.
Eleter’s sister spoke of her heartache, saying he wasn’t taking his medication for schizophrenia at the time.
“He’s a sweet kid, we don’t know what to do without him,” she said.
“I don’t believe he would do this.”
She has issued a heartfelt message to the family of his alleged victim.
“I’m heartbroken. When I found out last night I passed out. I’m sorry to her family. She didn’t deserve it. Nobody deserves to die like that,” she said.
Detective Superintendent Kerrie Lewis, Campsie Police Area Commander said the attack was “tragic”, but they believe it was random.
“It’s very terrifying and tragic. This lady was on a walking frame returning from Riverwood Shops to her home in extremely tragic circumstances,” Det Supt Lewis said.
Police are now urging anyone who saw an elderly woman with a walking frame walking along Belmore Rd to contact police.
“If anybody happened to see this elderly lady walking along Belmore road, or in the vicinity of Roosevelt and they saw anything, which they believe to be suspicious, if they could please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
Eleter will spend Christmas behind bars on remand, with his next court appearance due on February 6, 2022.
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