URGENT UPDATE: A 34-year-old woman, Tatiana “Tanya” Dokhotaru, was discovered dead in her apartment in Liverpool, Sydney, after a night marked by screams for help, as reported by police. Her ex-partner, 30-year-old Danny Zayat, has been charged with her murder, following a distressing sequence of events on the night of May 2023.
Details are emerging from the ongoing trial at the NSW Supreme Court, where a jury heard harrowing testimony from a young child who witnessed the aftermath. The child reported hearing screams from Dokhotaru before waking up the next morning to find her on the couch, unresponsive and with blood coming from her nose.
During police interviews, the child described their desperate attempts to rouse Dokhotaru, stating, “No waking up,” as Zayat arrived and called for emergency services. The child was also a witness to an argument between the couple, which reportedly escalated to the breaking of a television and a glass flower vase.
As the trial progresses, jurors were shown footage of police interviews where the child recalled the distressing scene. In a later interview in September 2025, the child stated that there had been no blood on Dokhotaru, but recounted the chilling moment of hearing her scream, “help me, help me.”
“He was crying but he wasn’t sad,”
the child told defense barrister Madeleine Avenell SC, referring to Zayat’s reaction when police arrived. This revelation raises critical questions about the circumstances surrounding Dokhotaru’s death.
Witnesses also testified about the toxic nature of Zayat and Dokhotaru’s relationship. Her mother, Olya Dokhotaru, recounted alarming threats made by Zayat during phone calls, where he called her daughter derogatory names and threatened to kill her if she did not return. Olya expressed disbelief at the violence, saying, “I can’t imagine that a young man can speak like that with his wife.”
Furthermore, evidence presented in court included video footage showing bruises around Dokhotaru’s neck, which her mother described as “fingerprints.” Just a day before her tragic death, Dokhotaru texted her mother about seeing a doctor for “bad bruising,” claiming she had fallen over a vacuum cleaner.
Zayat, who has pleaded not guilty to murder, denies any physical violence during their relationship and maintains he is not responsible for Dokhotaru’s death. He faces an alternative charge of manslaughter. After the alleged incident, Zayat called emergency services and attempted CPR, reportedly expressing that Dokhotaru had been suffering from depression and hinted at suicidal thoughts.
An autopsy revealed that Dokhotaru died from blunt-force head trauma, with various substances in her system hastening her death. The jury is expected to hear further evidence as the trial continues on Tuesday.
This tragic case highlights the urgent need for awareness and support for those facing domestic violence. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please reach out to 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline at 13 11 14.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
