Slain Melbourne teacher Shanae Brooke Edwards was dreaming of a family

The heartbroken lover of murdered Melbourne teacher Shanae Brooke said the couple was just about to “start a new life” together.

Moudy Sayed described Shanae Brooke Edwards as the love of his life.

The heartbroken lover of murdered Melbourne woman Shanae Brooke Edwards revealed they had plans to start a family before she was savagely killed.

Moudy El Sayed described Ms Edwards as the “love of my life” and that he would have been there to protect her if the coronavirus pandemic hadn’t kept them apart.

He has vowed to take revenge against the “evil person” who took her life.

“I have one mission now in my life and that is to kill the person who took her life,” he said. “I don’t care if I spend the rest of my life behind bars; justice will be served and you are going to suffer the same (as) she suffered.”

A major manhunt continued on Wednesday, as police in the eastern European nation of Georgia worked to track down the person who murdered the 31-year-old as she hiked Mount Mtatsminda in the capital city, Tbilisi, last Friday afternoon.

Ms Edwards’ family, based in Victoria, is stricken with grief over her killing.

“Her family is extremely distressed,” a source told the Herald Sun.

Ms Edwards had been working in Georgia for the past two years as an English teacher.

Mr Sayed, from Lebanon, said the pair were due to move there together to “start a new life” but broke up and Ms Edwards travelled there by herself.

Shanae had plans to start a family before she was savagely killed.

Shanae had spent recent years living life to the full in countries including Colombia and Cambodia.

“I was super proud of you, of what you achieved there quickly, and you were happy so I was happy,” he said.

Mr Sayed said that last year the pair realised they were still “madly in love” but were kept apart by Covid-19 travel restrictions.

“I was ready to fly instantly to Georgia to be with you but the entry was forbidden unless I (was) vaccinated,” he said.

“At that point, getting vaccines in Lebanon was a hard mission but I tried and I tried and I tried and kept hitting walls of curfews, lockdowns, no vaccines and more.

“I was supposed to be there to protect you like I did all the time we were together.

“Your life was taken away by an evil person while you were doing something you loved … hiking was one of your favourite things.”

Mr Sayed said “world and time” stopped the moment he learnt Ms Edwards had been killed.

“I can’t even think straight … first time in my life I’m lost and without a purpose,” he said. “I lost the love of my life. We were supposed to get back together and have a family.”

Ms Edwards called a friend in the US about 4.30pm on Friday and was heard screaming “Take your hands off me” and Please, let me go” before the line cut out.

Shanae was an avid traveller.

Police traced her phone to the mountain, where her body was found on Saturday following an extensive search involving her friends and expatriates.

CCTV footage captured her leaving her home about 3.30pm before arriving at the Church of Mikhail of Tver, a starting point for popular hikes.

Other women had reportedly been followed by an unknown man on the mountain prior to Ms Edwards’ murder.

She was an avid traveller, having spent her recent years living life to the fullest in countries such as Colombia and Cambodia.

Her friends said she did not take a single moment for granted and dedicated her time to caring for the homeless, disadvantage youths and stray animals.

“Shanae truly cared about people. She brought light and laughter to all around her. Her love was honest and deep and kind,” a friend said.

The investigation continues.

Originally published as Slain Melbourne teacher Shanae Brooke Edwards was dreaming of a family