By Sarah McPhee and Daniella White
A man has been charged with the murder of a woman who was stabbed to death in Sydney’s south-west in what police consider a random attack as she made her way home from the shops with a walking frame.
Police allege Mahmoud Eleter, 24, stabbed Lydia Gacuma, 67, multiple times in the torso and back, at Roosevelt Avenue in Riverwood, about 7.20pm on Sunday. Paramedics attended, but the woman could not be saved.
Police officers, including the dog squad, began a search and arrested Mr Eleter at a home on Kentucky Road a short time later.
“We’re still making inquiries about that, but it does appear to be a random attack,” Campsie Police Area Commander Detective Superintendent Kerrie Lewis said.
“We do have a person in custody, presently, charged with murder.”
Superintendent Lewis said she did not believe there was a relationship between the victim and the accused but robbery was one line of inquiry.
She said the situation was “very terrifying” and the woman’s next of kin, who are local to the area, had been informed and were devastated.
“This lady was on a walking frame, returning from the Riverwood shops to her home address,” she said. “Extremely tragic circumstances.”
Mr Eleter was taken to Campsie police station on Sunday night and charged with murder.
He faced Bankstown Local Court on Monday and made no application for bail. He will reappear in court on February 1.
Outside court, Mr Eleter’s lawyer told reporters the man’s mental health condition would be a “line of inquiry”.
A second crime scene was established at the Kentucky Road address and police will continue to patrol the area.
“We have identified some items of evidence that we’ve taken into our possession, including a knife,” Superintendent Lewis said.
Anyone who saw the woman walking along Belmore Road or in the vicinity of Roosevelt Avenue, and saw anything they believe to be suspicious, is asked to contact Campsie police station 02 9784 9399 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
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