A man remains in hospital under police protection as police continue to investigate the suspected murder of a young woman found dead in her home in Melbourne.
At around 4.10 a.m. yesterday, Celeste Manno, 23, was found dead inside the house she shared with her mother on Umbria Road, Mernda.
In connection with Ms Manno’s murder, a 35-year-old man was arrested.
Police investigate whether the man is a former Ms. Manno’s work colleague who developed an infatuation for her.
Ms Manno worked at the Mill Park Call Centre.
After Ms Manno is believed to have been killed, CCTV shows a dark coloured Peugeot leaving the street.
A short time later, the same car crashed into the car park of Mernda Police Station.
Ms Manno had a degree in criminology and psychology and spent a great deal of her free time doing charity work and working at the call centre after university.
Dozens of family members gathered yesterday in mourning at the crime scene, with floral tributes continuing to grow outside the home of the victim today.
Yesterday, Ms Manno’s mother could be heard screaming, “How could I not protect her?
Tributes were shared online by many other friends and loved ones.
“Celeste Manno was the most kind, brightest, down to earth person, who I was lucky to call a friend. She always knew how to light up a room with her bubbly, sweet nature,” a friend posted online.
“She was always selfless and always put everyone else first before herself. She was an absolute angel who didn’t deserve a tragic ending like this.