In a tragic incident that shocked the community, a mother’s horrifying final moments were recounted in court as she was allegedly hacked to death by her estranged husband in front of their children. The accused, Dinush Kurera, 47, is facing charges of murder and assaulting his teenage son during the brutal attack on Nelomi Perera, 43, in their home in Sandhurst, near Melbourne.
Jurors in the Supreme Court of Victoria trial were played a recording of Ms. Perera’s desperate cries for help as the attack unfolded. The prosecutor described how Kurera flew into a rage after suspecting his wife of infidelity, leading to a violent episode that lasted for about 14 minutes. Despite confessing to the crime to police, Kurera maintains his plea of not guilty.
The court heard that Kurera broke into the family home under the cover of darkness and launched a deadly assault on his wife, leaving her lifeless body in a pool of blood in the kitchen. The prosecution detailed how Kurera, armed with a hatchet purchased earlier that day, struck Ms. Perera multiple times, causing 35 wounds to her body.
During the attack, their children, a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl, witnessed the gruesome scene and were threatened by Kurera not to call for help or leave the house. The son was also assaulted by Kurera when he attempted to seek assistance outside.
The trial continues with further testimony expected to shed light on the events leading up to the tragic incident. Domestic violence support services such as 1800 RESPECT and Lifeline are available for those in need of assistance during challenging times. The community mourns the loss of Nelomi Perera and stands in solidarity against such senseless acts of violence within homes.
