The family of suspected homicide victim Maryam Hamka ‘scarred by this nightmare’

The family of suspected murder victim Maryam Hamka have told of their anguish, saying they are “scarred by this nightmare”, six months after she disappeared.

The sister of suspected homicide victim Maryam Hamka says her family are “dead inside” following the painstaking six-month anniversary of her suspicious disappearance.

Hanna Hamka said her family was desperately seeking closure over the suspected murder of sister Maryam, who was last seen on April 10 at a Brunswick supermarket and is presumed dead.

Ms Hamka’s disappearance is one of Victoria’s most heinous unsolved crimes, with missing persons squad detectives working tirelessly to try and recoup her body.

“We have all changed severely, our family is completely scarred by this nightmare,” Hanna Hamka said.

“What Maryam endured sits heavy on our minds. Out hearts are broken. Mum is a completely different person now, she’s dead inside.”

Toby Loughnane, 41, is charged with murdering Ms Hamka, his girlfriend, at his Brighton home on April 11.

His mate, Oscar Newman, a 26-year-old gambling-addicted pool cleaner, stands accused of helping his mate with the cover-up, supplying materials and working to clean the crime scene in the days after her death.

Ms Hamka’s body is yet to be found, leaving her family unable to lay her to rest. Picture: Supplied

Ms Hamka’s body is yet to be found and missing persons squad detectives believe Mr Newman — who is charged with assisting an offender (murder) — has the answers.

“There’s one person who definitely knows where it is, and there’s a high probability that a second person knows, and that’s Mr Newman,” Detective Senior Constable Jason Stewart told Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in August.

Mr Newman was granted bail under strict conditions and will next face court in 2022 for his alleged involvement.

Police are still appealing for information on Maryam Hamka. Picture: Instagram

The Hamka family is pleading for answers, describing those involved as “pure evil, pure filth”.

“Any coward or scum dog involved in hurting Maryam will face justice,” Hanna Hamka said.

“They will face karma and the same pain they caused our sister.

“The coward Oscar Newman who was involved in cleaning up Toby’s crime like his little puppy, is currently walking the streets, the rat.

“They are pure evil and denying us even her body to lay her to rest with dignity.

“They won’t get away with it. What kind of family do they have, with no one stepping in and putting them in line?

“Our lives will never be the same again. We miss Maryam immensely. No one has the right to take anyone’s life.”

Missing Persons Squad boss detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said police were again appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.

“This has been an incredibly difficult time for Maryam’s family and we are hopeful that we may be able to find Maryam and give her family even a small amount of comfort that she’s been located,” Insp Stamper said.

“Our investigators are as committed as ever, and we will continue to follow up all avenues of inquiry in locating Maryam.

“If there is anyone out there with information about Maryam’s disappearance who is yet to speak to police, then I am again appealing for them to come forward and make contact with investigators.”