UPDATE: A chilling 89-second emergency call from 34-year-old Tatiana Dokhotaru moments before her alleged murder has been revealed as the trial of her ex-boyfriend, 28-year-old Danny Zayat, begins in the NSW Supreme Court. Dokhotaru reportedly stated, “My ex-boyfriend is here and he’s trying to kill me,” during the desperate call for help placed shortly before her death on May 26, 2023.
In this urgent call, played for the jury on Monday, Dokhotaru claimed Zayat was stealing her money and physically assaulting her. Crown Prosecutor Alex Morris detailed the harrowing events leading up to her death, alleging that Zayat ended the call by forcibly taking her phone and throwing it off the balcony of her 22nd-floor apartment in Liverpool, a suburb of Sydney. This act was reportedly captured on CCTV footage, showing Zayat leaving the building with what appeared to be stolen money.
Morris asserted that the prosecution will demonstrate that Zayat killed Dokhotaru between 10:35 PM and 11:40 PM on that fateful night, either by inflicting fatal blows or causing her to suffer a head injury from a fall. The Crown argues Zayat acted with intent to kill or cause serious bodily harm.
Dokhotaru was known for her entrepreneurial spirit, selling luxury goods on Instagram and operating a tanning solarium business from her home. Conversely, Zayat managed a concreting business, which, according to the prosecution, became a backdrop for escalating violence in their relationship.
As the trial unfolds, the jury will hear more about the toxic dynamics that developed between the couple, with Morris highlighting Zayat’s history of physical and verbal abuse throughout their relationship. This troubling backdrop adds a layer of urgency to the trial, as the court examines the tragic circumstances that led to Dokhotaru’s untimely death.
The courtroom is expected to hear from various witnesses, and the public is closely following this case, given its shocking nature and the emotional toll on friends and family. The proceedings are ongoing, and further updates are anticipated as more evidence is presented.
With the trial just beginning, all eyes are on the courtroom as the jury prepares to deliberate on the evidence surrounding this tragic incident. Stay tuned for more developments as they unfold.
