'She's been dead for a while': Man wailed to triple-zero after allegedly killing ex-partner
Share this @internewscast.com

A man who denies killing his former partner during a violent argument was heard wailing incomprehensibly as he tried to resuscitate her the next day.

Danny Zayat, 30, had been in a volatile relationship with 34-year-old Tatiana Dokhotaru before she was found dead in her south-west Sydney apartment on a Saturday in May 2023.

Zayat is accused of murdering her the previous night after a physically violent and verbally abusive argument heard by neighbours on the 22nd floor of the Liverpool complex.

Danny Zayat
Danny Zayat is on trial for murder. (Supplied)

Two phone calls the concreter made to triple zero the day after the alleged murder were played to his NSW Supreme Court jury trial today.

During the calls, he can be heard at times wailing and speaking incoherently as the operator gave directions on how to administer CPR.

“She’s not breathing, she’s got blood coming out of her nose,” he said during the call.

“It looks like she’s been dead for a while.”

Police officers and paramedics arrived to find him crying and pleading for someone to help his ex-partner as she lay on the floor of her apartment.

Paramedics attempted to revive her but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Before calling triple zero, Zayat was heard by neighbours running up and down the corridor outside calling for help.

Leo Nguyen lived in the apartment opposite and told the jury that he heard a male shouting and banging on the apartment doors outside.

“It just sounded like someone was in the hallway just crying, distressed,” he said from the witness box.

Tatiana Dokhotaru
Tatiana Dokhotaru. (Supplied)

Zayat told police that Dokhotaru wanted to kill herself about a week before she was found dead in the apartment on May 23.

On police body-worn footage, he was seen asking police to check his phone for video footage taken on May 21.

He claimed the 34-year-old was drunk, tripped over and injured herself on that day before expressing thoughts of suicide.

“I took a video of it just for my own sake,” he told officers.

Dokhotaru’s next-door neighbours, Saska Simic and Husam Alsadi, told the court they heard expletives and thuds from the woman’s unit on the night of the alleged murder.

Alsadi also described muffled voices broken up by a male yelling “you f—— slut” and a woman yelling “get out, get out”.

“It sounded like it was very guttural,” he said of the male’s voice.

Tatiana Dokhotaru was found dead inside her Liverpool apartment in May 2023. (Nine)

The neighbour went to his front door to check on the corridor and the neighbouring apartment.

When he stepped outside, the noises died down, the jury heard.

The couple then went out to their balcony but didn’t see or hear anything further.

Prosecutors allege Zayat had a tendency of violent, abusive behaviour to Dokhotaru which eventually turned deadly.

“Yes, hi. My ex-boyfriend’s here and he’s trying to kill me,” she had earlier told the operator.

An autopsy showed that Dokhotaru died from a brain injury caused by blunt force head trauma.

NSW supreme court
The trial continues in the NSW Supreme Court. (Nine)

Zayat has pleaded not guilty to murder and denies being violent towards his former partner or having anything to do with her death.

He also faces an alternative charge of manslaughter.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Tragic Loss: ‘Lion King’ Actress Imani Dia Smith Fatally Stabbed

In a tragic turn of events, Imani Dia Smith, a former child…

Riviera Beach Resident Arrested for Allegedly Stalking Shands Healthcare Professional

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a concerning development, Dylan Allen Sangricco,…

Ohio Woman Charged with Attempted Drowning and Physical Abuse of Children in Bathtub Incident

An Ohio woman has been formally charged with child abuse spanning a…

Tragic Discovery: Suspect Apprehended After Missing Person Found Buried

A distressing case in north Texas has shifted from a search for…

Woman Accused of Fatally Shooting Boyfriend Over Car Dispute Asserts Video Evidence Could Clear Her Name, Sheriff Says It Strengthens Case Against Her

Courtney Renee Hooper (WOAI/YouTube). A Texas woman is accused of fatally shooting…

Mother Describes Heartbreaking Discovery of 7-Year-Old Daughter’s Condition Following Alleged Abuse by Her and Partner, Police Report

Insets, from left to right: Jessica Savangsy, Retuquel Dupree and Savangsy’s 7-year-old…

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration’s Alleged Unlawful Use of Executive Authority to Restrict Essential Health Care for Transgender Youth

Left: New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference…

Jaw-Dropping Footage: Authorities Apprehend Accused Child Killer Ashlee Buzzard

Captured on video by residents of Vandenberg Village in California, the tense…

Tragic Case: Police Hunt for Mother Allegedly Involved in Infant’s Bath Time Drowning Amid Drug Use

Inset: Briana Arnold (Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations). Background: The apartment complex…

Tragic Family Incident: Man Allegedly Kills Half-Brother, Endangers Children with Gas Leak

Inset: Zackary Brodowski (Redlands Police Department). Background: The apartment complex where Brodowski…

Individual Accused of Public Nazi Salutes Faces Legal Action

A Canberra man has been charged with allegedly performing Nazi salutes in…

Tragic Discovery: Missing Kansas Boy Located Deceased in Missouri Ravine

A tragic turn of events has unfolded as a Kansas teenager, who…