'I pray it is not true, I pray it is a dream': Father of murdered Israeli student Aiia Maasarwe reveals the moment he learnt of his daughter's tragic death and what he hopes her legacy will be
- Aiia Maasarwe's father has shared the moment he learnt of his daughter's death
- Saeed Maasarwe said he could only 'pray' that it wasn't Aiia, 21, who had died
- Battling tears, he shared what he hopes will be his daughter's lasting legacy
- 20-year-old Melbourne man Codey Hermann has been arrested and charged
The heartbroken father of murdered Israeli student Aiia Maasarwe has shared the haunting moment he learnt of his daughter's tragic death.
Saeed Maasarwe had planned to visit his 21-year-old daughter in late-January after she moved to Melbourne from Shanghai to study at La Trobe University.
But last Tuesday night, she was allegedly raped and murdered in the north Melbourne suburb of Bundoora after getting off a tram, and her partially naked body was found in parkland near a shopping centre the next morning.
Fighting through tears, Mr Maasarwe revealed his devastation when he heard the tragic news.
Aiia Maasarwe (pictured) was killed on her way to her student accommodation in Melbourne last week
'I pray it is not true, I pray it is dream, I pray it's not Aiia,' he told The Project.
He and his nephew, Sharef, told the program they miss the 21-year-old's infectious laugh and smile.
'She was like angel, even when she born the first day, she was from the beginning everything special, really, the smile, the face,' Mr Maasarwe said.
Ms Maasarwe had been studying Chinese and English at Shanghai University but moved to Melbourne only six months ago as part of an exchange program.
Discussing the move, her father said she had assured him the city was safe, so he approved, saying he would support her no matter what.
'This is our job the parents, we need to give to our child the best as we can.'
Aiia's father Saeed (pictured) said he could only 'pray' that he was dreaming and his daughter was safe
The student (pictured) had moved to Melbourne only six months ago, telling her father the city was safe
The 21-year-old was so scared of the walk from the tram stop to her student accommodation she would call one of her sisters while walking to feel safer, a family member told The Australian.
She was on a a FaceTime call with her sister after a comedy gig when she was attacked.
The phone suddenly dropped, her uncle Rame Masarwe said.
Ms Maasarwe's sister was still connected and heard the entire attack unfold, her uncle said.
'She seemed very happy. Then the phone fell down, she heard voices. The phone was on.'
Mr Maasarwe (pictured) says it's his job as a parent to always strive to provide the best for his children
An outpouring of community support has hit the family, which Saeed says is beyond belief
On Friday, 20-year-old Codey Hermann was arrested in Greensborough at a picnic shelter positioned close to a children's park and charged over Aiia's death.
Social media reveals he is a wannabe rapper from the Bundoora area who often posts about mental health issues.
He is well known to people in the area and was often seen riding around on buses and trams.
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