By Sarah McPhee and Cindy Yin
Warning: Graphic content
A deceptive Sydney man who killed his partner and lied that she was missing has been jailed for a maximum of 21 years, as the victim’s friend pleaded for authorities to end the “body count” from domestic violence.
Vincent Carlino, 40, murdered Shereen Kumar in July 2022 and dumped her body in bushland near their Dural home, but told police she had vanished after going for a walk in her pyjamas and dressing gown.
Shereen Kumar was murdered by Vincent Carlino before he dumped her body in Dural bushland.Credit: Facebook
Kumar was a mother of two, businesswoman and part-time model. Her closest friend, Erika Wadlow-Smith, made a tearful plea outside the NSW Supreme Court after Carlino’s sentencing on Friday afternoon, as she remembered her “extraordinary” friend.
“The body count is just going to keep going on, and we have to do something serious about this, we have to look to our politicians to look at root causes,” she said.
“We have to look to rectifying it, and stop this onslaught every week, every day … it’s about keeping that pressure on our government to forget the platitudes and the regular announcements. We need action.”
Shereen Kumar’s friend Erika Wadlow-Smith at the sentencing for Kumar’s killer.Credit: Janie Barrett
Justice Sarah McNaughton said Carlino was “insecure” and “deceptive” and took considerable steps to cover up his crime, including erroneously trying to blame Kumar’s mental health and framing her as erratic and emotional as he spun his story about her disappearance.
“This was an attack on a woman in her own home where she was entitled to feel safe and secure, by a partner who at that time not only did not care for her nor keep her safe, but violently attacked her, causing her death,” the judge said.
McNaughton jailed Carlino for 21 years with a non-parole period of 15 years. He received a 25 per cent discount for his guilty plea.
Vincent Carlino reported his partner Shereen Kumar missing, but had murdered her.Credit: Facebook
The judge noted that community concern about the number of women killed by former or current male partners “has only become more acute”. McNaughton’s voice wavered as she recognised the devastating impact on Kumar’s family.
“I am acutely conscious of the fact that neither words nor the imposition of a sentence can restore the loss of a loved one or assuage the grief caused to this family,” the judge said. “But it is important that the impact of the offender’s actions upon the victim’s loved ones be recognised and never forgotten.”
In a victim impact statement, Kumar was described by her mother as a caring and determined person with a beautiful soul and smile that “lit up every room”.
“She had a warm, loving way that touched everyone she met,” the mother said. “She had big dreams, like becoming a veterinary doctor, we were so proud of her.”
Carlino and Kumar each owned dog-walking franchises and had a tumultuous “on and off” relationship for 17 months, “with frequent hostility and arguing”, according to the agreed facts.
In the weeks before Kumar’s death, the couple argued over WhatsApp. Carlino described himself as a “manipulative asshole that doesn’t deserve love or cannot give love”, said that he felt “nothing positive” from Kumar’s heart and he was “just one step above the devil”.
On the day Kumar died – July 20, 2022 – the pair fought about dog walking. A therapy session over Skype that afternoon was the last time Kumar was seen alive by anyone other than Carlino, who called her 123 times in 42 minutes.
The judge said Kumar told her therapist: “In five minutes, he’s going to come inside the room, I might have to cut this short today.”
Between 7.19pm and 9.38pm that night, Carlino struck and choked Kumar before wrapping her body in plastic, putting it in his work van and dumping it in the bush, covered by branches. Her cause of death was neck compression.
The next day, Carlino “falsely reported to various people that the deceased was missing, having gone for a walk the previous night and not returned”.
He also looked up an article about acquitted murderer O.J. Simpson, and others about Kumar being missing.
The court heard he asked police: “Have you found her yet?” The search route Carlino provided to police was inconsistent with location data in his phone, which led officers to discover Kumar’s body.
Kumar’s mother said the loss of her daughter was “compounded by the senseless, violent way her life was taken”.
“The hardest part is thinking about how the offender harmed her, and wondering ‘Why?’ Shereen isn’t here to tell us what really happened, and I don’t know if I can ever trust what he [Carlino] says. How will I ever know the truth?” she said.
Shereen Kumar’s former husband, Gurpreet Beehan, arrives at court for Carlino’s sentencing.Credit: Janie Barrett
She said Carlino had “not only stolen a life” but left Kumar’s children motherless.
“This was not an accident or a momentary lapse in judgment. It was a cruel and devastating act that has permanently destroyed our family,” she said.
“May my Shereen rest in heavenly peace.”
Kumar’s former husband, Gurpreet Beehan, also attended the sentencing, along with police and Carlino’s parents.
Vincent Carlino’s parents sat in the front row of the public gallery as he learnt his fate.Credit: Janie Barrett
Carlino, in a letter of apology, said he would live with the burden of guilt for the rest of his life.
“I am eternally plagued by my decisions, reactions and behaviour on this day,” Carlino said.
“I am aware of how serious my actions are and upon my release I will ensure I do not find myself in this position again.”
Carlino’s sentence was backdated due to time served. He will first be eligible for parole in July 2037.
with Kayla Olaya
If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (and see lifeline.org.au), 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
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