‘Some of our laws need to change’: Celeste Manno’s mother Aggie Di Mauro’s passionate plea

A vigil held to honour 23-year-old Mernda woman Celeste Manno, who was killed by a stalker three years ago, has heard calls for stricter surveillance of offenders.

Celeste Manno was murdered by her stalker inside her Mernda home in November 2020.

Celeste Manno’s mother has called for better protection for victims, saying more vigilant surveillance of her daughter’s stalker could have saved her life.

Celeste Manno, 23, was murdered inside her Mernda home in November 2020 by Luay Nader Sako, a former co-worker who had stalked her for months before breaking into her house and killing her.

She got an intervention order against him after he sent her more than 150 messages from several Instagram accounts for about a year.

Since her death Celeste’s mother Aggie Di Mauro has lobbied for police and victims to be able to keep better track of stalkers, including placing electronic ankle bracelets on offenders.

The Celeste Manno vigil in Melbourne on Wednesday night. Picture: Supplied

Ms Di Mauro offered a passionate plea to Victoria’s politicians at a public vigil to commemorate her daughter three years on from her death at the steps of state parliament on Wednesday.

“Tonight is going to be a respectful candle light vigil for my daughter,” she said.

“I have tried to invite as many victims of crime here. It’s our laws and some of our laws need to change and I raise my kids that nothing is impossible and I’m going to show them that provided we all stay together.”

Ms Di Mauro said the vigil was for “all victims of crime”.

Her calls for stricter surveillance of offenders comes after the Victorian Law Reform Commission did not recommend electronic monitoring of offenders.

“Legal organisations prioritise the rights of the accused over victims’ safety, but my daughter’s tragic loss could have been prevented with monitoring in place,” she said.

Celeste’s family at the steps of parliament at the vigil commemorating her death three years ago. Picture: Athos Sirianos

“It’s simple really, they’ll never save lives without monitoring or detaining someone who has breached a Personal Safety Intervention Order.”

Ms Di Mauro said her daughter was a “beautiful, kind, caring and loving soul”.

“She believed that a simple smile could be enough to make anyone’s day.

“It’s the first word on her whiteboard in her room ‘smile’.

“I was lucky to have been blessed with the most beautiful daughter.”

This year, 63 women and children have died at the hands of an alleged male offender, according to the Red Heart campaign.

Artist Dans Bain also displayed a 30m long “Lost Petition” which included names of women and children who have died as a result of male violence since 2008.

The 30m long petition unfurled on Wednesday night. Picture: Supplied

The 30m long “Lost Petition” has been unfurled at a vigil commemorating Celeste Manno. The petition includes the names of women and children that have died as a result of male violence since 2008 @theheraldsunpic.twitter.com/B0AYpcsC5K

— Athos Sirianos (@AthosSirianos) October 18, 2023

Bains said the vigil was a chance for people to “come together to heal and make positive change”.

In front of a crowd of about 150 people assembled on the steps of parliament, Bains read out the names of the women and children on the petition.

Attendees at the vigil watched a video package of Celeste, paired with some of her favourite songs.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto, who was in attendance at the vigil, said it was an opportunity for people to support “stronger measures” to ensure the justice system protects people from the “catastrophic failures we have from time to time”.

“I’ve seen too many of these and met with too many families who are struggling with the grief of lost ones who are asking why did the justice system let us down?”