Identity of Celeste Manno’s alleged killer revealed as Luay Sako

The identity of a former colleague who allegedly stalker and killed Melbourne woman Celeste Manno in her Mernda home has been revealed.

The identity of the former colleague who allegedly stalked and killed Melbourne woman Celeste Manno has been revealed.

Roxburgh Park man Luay Sako, 35, is suspected of killing the 23-year-old inside her Mernda home about 4.10am on Monday.

Mr Sako remained in hospital under police guard on Wednesday and was yet to be questioned by homicide squad detectives.

NCA NewsWire has confirmed he worked with Ms Manno at Serco, a call centre in Mill Park, but left more than 12 months ago.

Ms Manno’s family claim Mr Sako became obsessed and infatuated with the “bright, lively and intelligent” 23-year-old after she walked him out the door when he was sacked from his job.

Ms Manno’s brother Alessandro Manno told reporters his sister wasn’t close with him at all but supported him as she walked him out the door.

Luay Sako allegedly stalked and killed Celeste Manno in her home in Mernda.

“Ever since that day he’s just been obsessed with her, harassing her on social media for months and months,” Mr Manno said.

“At first she’d be nice to him and just say thank you, not interested, and then he kept getting obsessive, and so eventually she had to block him.”

Mr Manno alleged his sister was then forced to file a restraining order against Mr Sako.

Another of her brothers, Jaydon Manno, described the alleged attack as a “harrowing, senseless, unfathomable evil act”.

Celeste Manno’s family, brothers Jayden, Alessandro and Gabriel and dad Tony holding her niece Daisy. Picture: Jay Town

Celeste Manno was killed in her family home in Mernda. Picture: Facebook

“Everyone should have the right to live their lives in their homes, in their bedrooms, on the streets. No one should be scared, this evil should not exist,” he said.

“She was loved by everybody. There wasn’t a soul on this earth who could ever say a bad thing. She touched everyone, such an amazing person.”

It’s alleged Mr Sako broke into Ms Manno’s bedroom while she was sleeping and fatally attacked her.

He then jumped the side fence to escape and drove himself to the Mernda police station where he was arrested.

His relatives told the Herald Sun the 35-year-old was expected to have surgery on his hands on Wednesday.

Celeste Manno and her boyfriend Chris Ridsdale on Saturday.

“We are mortified with what has happened,” one relative told the newspaper.

“We have been in tears for Celeste since we found out. We have no idea of what his motive was.”

It comes as Ms Manno’s boyfriend Chris Ridsdale posted an emotional tribute to her on social media.

He said they took a photo on Saturday and it was the first picture of them together on her social media, which he was told was to be his new profile picture.

“Now it seems like the best thing I can do for her,” he posted on Facebook.

Flowers outside Celeste Manno’s family home where she was killed early Monday morning. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“To show everyone how much she meant to me and how beautiful she was.”

Ms Manno has been remembered as a “bubbly, beautiful sweetheart” with a “gentle heart” who was always selfless and put everyone else first.

She studied criminology and psychology at RMIT University and also went to Lalor Secondary College.

No charges have been laid yet over her death.

The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.