Murdered Sunbury mum’s fiance heartbroken over her death

THE heartbroken fiance of a woman murdered as she walked to work said he would “give anything” to have her back in his arms.

Flowers have been laid at the site. Picture: Sarah Matray

• Woman charged over mum’s death

THE heartbroken fiance of a woman murdered as she walked to work said he would “give anything” to have her back in his arms.

As a shattered Mark Lofts paid tribute to the love of his life Rachel Tyquin, her shocked neighbours recounted a years-long neighbourhood feud between two households in an otherwise quiet Sunbury street.

Eva Maria Whitecross, 53, appeared briefly in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court yesterday where she was remanded in custody to appear again tomorrow.

Police allege Ms Whitecross killed 44-year-old the fitness instructor near her home in Dalkeith Court on Saturday morning.

Ms Whitecross allegedly turned herself into police and was charged with murder.

Ms Tyquin was fatally stabbed in the neck, her body found lying on the footpath about 7.30am, just 250m down the hill from her home.

In an online tribute, Mr Lofts recalled happy memories of the day he asked Ms Tyquin to marry him.

A man lays flowers at the site. Picture: Sarah Matray

Mark Lofts with partner Rachel Tyquin. Picture: Facebook

“Seeing her face on the beach the first night when I asked her to marry me I will never ever forget,” he said.

“People who know Rach love her smile and this night she was beaming, shaking and crying all at once.

“We had so much to look forward to in the future which has been tragically cut short.”

The Herald Sun has learned Ms Tyquin had been involved in decades of altercations with Mrs Whitecross, which began over a disagreement about car parking.

Neighbour Donna Flynn last saw Ms Tyquin just days before her death and said she had been excited as she prepared for her daughter’s 21st birthday this weekend.

Mrs Flynn said Mrs Whitecross had years ago raised an issue over Ms Tyquin’s personal training and massage clients parking in their shared street.

But it was just one issue within a myriad of problems, as profanities and abuse were hurled across the street.

“People keep asking me whether there was something else,” Mrs Flynn said.

“But no, that was it.

“I just can’t believe it’s come to this.”

Flowers have been laid at the site. Picture: Sarah Matray

Their two houses sit atop a crest along leafy Balmoral Circuit opposite a vacant block.

Between them is the entrance to sleepy Dalkeith Court, yesterday devoid of both people and cars.

Mr Lofts thanked Ms Tyquin for “making my life a better one” and said he missed her “terribly”.

“There is an enormous hole in my heart now and I done think it could ever be filled,” he said.

“I love you with all my heart and everything I am and will never stop missing you for one second.

“I hope you can rest in peace my beautiful girl because you deserve nothing but the best.”