Police investigating 19-year-old woman’s death at A’Beckett Street apartment
A YOUNG woman killed when a high-rise dispute turned deadly in Melbourne’s CBD has been remembered as a quiet person who was the rock of her family, after a fight between two groups of African Australians ended in fatal tragedy.
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A YOUNG woman killed when a high-rise dispute turned deadly in Melbourne’s CBD has been remembered as a quiet person who was the rock of her family.
Laa Chol died after an early morning row broke out between two groups of African Australians in a short-stay apartment building in A’Beckett St.
Homicide Squad detectives have launched an investigation following the death of the 19-year-old and seized CCTV from the EQ Tower.
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Family friend Baya, who asked for her surname not to be published, exclusively told the Sunday Herald Sun Laa Chol “was like a little sister”.
“She was a very quiet person, she kept her family together, she was the eldest sibling,” Baya said.
“She’s not known for causing trouble, she doesn’t rent hotels or go to parties, this was a one-off.”
Friends have taken to social media to pay tribute to Ms Chol.
“Never thought Friday would be my last time on earth seeing you,” one wrote on Facebook.
“You were such a beautiful soul & didn’t deserve any of this...forever remembering the memories we had.
“RIP my beautiful princess I love you.”
Emergency services were called to an apartment on the 56th floor of the tower about 5.15am.
Police said one group had rented a short-stay apartment in the building and a second group arrived at some point during the night, before a dispute broke out leaving the woman with fatal injuries.
Paramedics tried to save Ms Chol, from Pakenham, but she died at the scene.
Commander Tim Hansen, of Victoria Police’s North West Metro region, described both groups involved in the dispute as African Australian.
He would not comment on reports the victim was stabbed, just that she had been “assaulted”.
Earlier this afternoon police confirmed 12 people were assisting them with the investigation.
However, the group which police believe the killer — or killers — were part of, fled the scene.
Investigators have seized CCTV from the building and are confident of making a quick arrest.
Cdr Hansen said police were supporting the victim’s family.
He confirmed when police arrived it was a “fairly chaotic” scene, with a number of people out the front of the building.
“It would be fair to say they were upset and emotive,” he said.
“Police took control of the scene very quickly. Like a lot of these scenes, our initial response is in a vacuum of chaos.”
One neighbour told the Sunday Herald Sun she heard “horrendous” screams from inside the building, but said she didn’t call police because such noises were a regular occurrence in the complex.
“It (the screaming) went on for about 20 minutes,” she said.
“You couldn’t hear anything but this horrendous screaming, but it’s not unusual coming from this building.
“So much goes on in the building in the middle of the night with people drunk, it’s pretty awful.
“When the screaming continued down the street, I just thought they were drunk.
“They were shouting and screaming and the girl’s scream was incredibly loud … just screeching.”
Kenyatta Dei Wal and Ahmed Hassan, leaders of Melbourne’s South Sudanese community said in a statement: “This is a tragic incident that has cut a young persons life short. The community is deeply shocked.”
At 2pm forensic police officers were fingerprinting the front doors of the tower.
Earlier police had spent time focusing on a green Honda CR-V parked in nearby Anthony St, which had a dent in one of its doors.
Cdr Hansen said he was confident the case would be solved.
“We have really skilled investigators in the Homicide Squad,” he said.
“I think their work over a long period of time would indicate we would be fairly confident in catching the offender or offenders.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.