UPDATE: A Sydney jury has just found Danny Zayat, 30, guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend, Tatiana ‘Tanya’ Dokhotaru, in her apartment on May 26, 2023. The verdict comes after a month-long trial at the NSW Supreme Court, where chilling details of Dokhotaru’s final moments were revealed, including a frantic phone call to emergency services.
During the harrowing 89-second call, Dokhotaru alerted police, saying, “Yes, hi. My ex-boyfriend’s here and he’s trying to kill me.” Tragically, the call was abruptly cut off, and her body was later found in her 22nd-floor apartment in Liverpool, a suburb in Sydney’s south-west.
The jury delivered an 11-1 verdict against Zayat, despite his lawyer’s claims that his texts to Dokhotaru demonstrated love and care, undermining allegations of severe abuse. In messages sent just weeks before her death, Zayat expressed remorse and affection, saying, “You will always be my first proper love.” However, the prosecution highlighted Zayat’s history of violence, including threats and physical assaults against Dokhotaru.
Dokhotaru had shared her experiences of abuse with friends, detailing incidents where Zayat allegedly dragged her by the hair, spat on her, and threatened her life. In one alarming message on April 13, she wrote, “I was fighting him off. I tried calling the cops but he said he’ll kill me if I do.” These messages painted a picture of a relationship marred by fear and control.
In the lead-up to her death, Dokhotaru confided in a friend about a particularly brutal incident, stating, “He strangled me so bad, my throat is so bruised and swollen, I can barely breathe.” Her parents, who reside in Canada, testified about the abusive phone calls they received from Zayat during a visit in 2022.
Zayat’s defense argued that Dokhotaru’s fatal brain injury could have resulted from accidents rather than intentional harm. However, the jury’s overwhelming decision suggests they were not convinced by this line of reasoning.
After the verdict, Zayat was remanded into custody and is set to be sentenced on December 19, 2025. Justice Desmond Fagan dismissed pleas for a delay in sentencing, emphasizing the need for prompt action regarding psychological evaluations.
The chilling details of this case underscore the urgent need for awareness and intervention in domestic violence situations. As communities grapple with the implications of this tragic outcome, the legacy of Tatiana Dokhotaru serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers many face in abusive relationships.
Stay tuned for further updates as we continue to follow this developing story.
