Panania shooting victim Amy Hazouri’s family feud over burial

Much-loved hairdresser Amy Hazouri was gunned down in cold blood a week ago- but in a sad twist, her family are now feuding over where to lay the 39 year-old to rest.

THE distraught relatives of murdered woman Amy Hazouri are locked in a bitter struggle over where the much-loved hairdresser’s remains should be buried.

Ms Hazouri, 39, was gunned down on Saturday night as she sat in a car beside her friend and client Lametta Fadlallah, in what police have described as a ‘brutal assas­sination’.

Now in a sad twist, Ms Hazzouri’s younger sister Manal Raunegger has revealed the family is feuding over the murdered woman’s final resting place.

“My mother wants Amy’s body flown to Lebanon … but Amy’s father would like to bury Amy in Australia,” she said.

“But if Amy is buried in Australia, it will make it ­impossible for all of us to visit her grave each year.”

Amy Hazouri (left) with her sister Iman, was gunned down alongside her friend and client Lametta Fadlallah. Picture: Supplied

An online appeal set up to raise money to fly Ms Hazouri’s body to Lebanon has reached its target in just five days, but Ms Raunegger said her parents cannot agree on a burial place.

“My mother wants Amy buried as soon as possible, if Amy’s father would give permission to send her to Lebanon, the burial could be done immediately,” she said.

Police pictured at a crime scene on Western Street in Revesby where the shooting happened. Picture: Damian Shaw

“Amy’s dad can fly to Lebanon each year to visit her.”

Ms Raunegger said her sister was engaged to a man in Lebanon, and was due to fly back in November for their engagement party which had been postponed because of the pandemic.

“She had her whole life planned out, she was coming here for the engagement party, and then maybe if she likes it, she will open a hair salon and be closer to our mum.”

When her fiance learned of Ms Hazouri’s murder, he was taken to hospital after collapsing in shock.

Forensics police officers examine the scene of a burnt out car used in the fatal shootings. Picture: Monique Harmer

“He is emotionally not good,” Ms Raunegger said.

She said the family feared something was not right when Ms Hazouri’s mother called her on Saturday and she never returned the call.

“My mum rang Amy in the day and Amy said she was with a client making up her hair and she will call back,” she said.

But the call never came.

Police have yet to arrest anyone in connection with the two deaths. Picture: Richard Dobson

Ms Hazouri’s boss Jocelyne Chidiac had the heartbreaking task of calling the family to tell them what had happened.

The popular hairdresser was sitting in the back seat of a Toyota 4WD when four men approached the vehicle before up to 16 shots were fired in at close range.

Police are confident Ms Fadlallah was the intended target, while Ms Hazouri and the front seat passenger and driver were simply caught in the crossfire.