By Laura Chung and Lucy Cormack
In recent weeks Daiane Pelegrini’s former lover had allegedly been trying to get in touch with the Sydney mother, texting her and visiting her home in north-western Sydney unannounced.
On Monday night, it is alleged that he climbed up the balcony of her Oatlands home and broke in, waited for her and then stabbed her in the chest when she walked in.
Daiane Pelegrini was stabbed multiple times at her Oatlands home before being taken to Westmead Hospital where she later died. Credit: Facebook
David Tran, 25, was at Granville police station on Tuesday night and charged over the alleged murder of Ms Pelegrini, 33.
He was charged with murder, the use of a carriage service to menace, harass and offend, entering a dwelling with intent, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Ms Pelegrini was found with multiple stab wounds inside her Ingleby Street apartment at 4.30pm on Monday before being taken to Westmead Hospital where she died.
Her new boyfriend who was with her at the time of the alleged attack managed to flee the home and sought help and suffered only minor injuries.
Ms Pelegrini moved to Australia from Brazil with her husband and daughter in 2016.
Police will allege in court Mr Tran entered the unit while it was unoccupied before the incident unfolded.
They will further allege he sent threatening messages to the woman prior to her death.
Her ex-husband Marcelo Antunes de Ataide, with whom she had recently split, said their daughter was distraught.
David Tran in police custody on Tuesday.Credit: Nine News
"She was a really good mother, she was the best mum and would do anything for her daughter," he told Nine News.
"We are devastated. We have a good family in Brazil and my daughter doesn’t want to leave Australia and her friends."
Ms Pelegrini last year enrolled to study nursing part time at Western Sydney University. She worked at a Spanish aged care facility, the Residential Gardens, in Rooty Hill.
Mr Tran was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital to undergo a mental health assessment before being released to police.
Police outside Daiane Pelegrini's Oatlands apartment complex.Credit: Rhett Wyman
On Tuesday, the driveway of the complex where Ms Pelegrini lived was secured by police. Neighbour Steven, who did not give his last name, said the situation was upsetting.
"It’s very shocking to us, especially for the little girl," he said. "It is horrible."
Another neighbour, Kirra, said the incident was "shocking". She said she’d heard nothing out of the ordinary on Monday afternoon but knew something had happened when she heard a helicopter flying overhead and saw police and ambulance officers running to a nearby house.
Mr Tran was refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday, July 5.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
For help contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732.
Get our Morning & Evening Edition newsletters
The most important news, analysis and insights delivered to your inbox at the start and end of each day. Sign up to The Sydney Morning Herald’s newsletter here, to The Age’s newsletter here and Brisbane Times' here.