Bundoora murder: father of Aiia Maasarwe speaks in Melbourne

Thousands of rattled Melburnians hold silent vigil for murdered student Aiia Maarsarwe as her father tells of his devastation.

The tearful father of Israeli student Aiia Maarsarwe has visited the steps of Victorian parliament to thank Melburnians for a silent vigil in honour of his slain daughter.

Saeed Maarsarwe read cards and battled tears as he joined thousands of mourners who clapped as he thanked them in front of a sea of floral tributes. Many later approached Mr Maarsarwe to pay their respects personally.

Mourners brought flowers to place on the 86 tram to Bundoora, which the La Trobe University student caught home from the city after attending a comedy gig on Tuesday night.

Organisers said they were also holding the vigil in solidarity with women and children who had been killed by male perpetrators, “to show our fury and strength and determination for change.”

Participants were asked to wear black and observe the vigil, which did not involve speakers or music.

La Trobe University student Laura Bass, 20, said she had chosen to attend out of concern over the rate of female deaths at the hands of men.

A vigil has been held on the steps of Parliament in Melbourne. Picture: Tony Gough

“I feel like it’s important for people to come together and acknowledge that that’s wrong, and it’s not OK, and also just to pay my respects for Aiia herself, and her family, and to mourn her loss,” Ms Bass said.

“I go to La Trobe University. I spend most of my time there, so it hits close to home, but even if it didn’t it’s still important that I’m here.”

At the end of the vigil, mourners were invited to fill the 86 tram with flowers, including red roses, which Ms Maarsarwe’s uncle said were her favourites.

The flowers will be placed at a memorial for Ms Maarsarwe at La Trobe University.

Ms Maasarwe’s father Saeed, centre, blue shirt, is consoled at the vigil. Picture: Tony Gough

‘I wait for her... I still wait’

Earlier today, Ms Maasarwe’s grief-stricken father visited the scene of her death, fighting back tears as he spoke about her love for people and their plans to travel Australia together.

After reading cards on floral tributes and meeting others who have been paying tribute to his daughter, Saeed Maasarwe said he had been touched by the support the community and police have given his family.

He had spent time at La Trobe University — where a vigil was held today — meeting friends and classmates of his 21-year-old daughter, along with staff.

MORE: Man, 20, arrested over Aiia’s murder

Mr Maasarwe was taken to the scene of her death by police and friends.

Referring to the makeshift shrine, Mr Maasarwe said he was experiencing conflicting feelings being at the scene of her death.

“This has given me (a) good feeling, but also from another way, I am sad because this is the last place my daughter … was here,” he said. “I have many dreams to be with her.

“But I cannot now, to be more with Aiia. I want to be with her (for) more time, but someone decided I cannot be. I wish, I hope, I pray she is in a more nice place than this place, and in the paradise.”

He said he wanted his daughter to explore new cultures with an open mind, which she did.

“She, all the time, smiled. She loved the people,” he said. “She have very big opinions, the mind open for everything. She liked to study different cultures and different nationalities. She don’t come with a locked mind from another culture: She respected all the people.”

They had made plans for a family holiday in Australia later this month.

“She loved this city very (much), and the university and her colleagues at the university,” she liked this very much.

“I (had) a plan to come in the end of January and the beginning of February to be together with her for (a) vacation with her and her sister, the older sister Noor, to be with her for two weeks or 10 days. We want to go to many places here in Australia.

He said she wanted to visit Sydney, but didn’t want to go until he arrived so they could go together.

“But I wait for her,” he said. “I still wait.”