The mother of a young woman stabbed in her own bed by a crazed stalker has come face-to-face with the murderer.
Aggie Di Mauro stared down her daughter’s killer Luay Sako for the first time when he pleaded guilty to the murder in court on Thursday.
Celeste Manno, 23, was stabbed as she slept after Sako, 37, became obsessed with her when the pair worked together at a call centre.
He bombarded her with more than 150 texts and social media messages before the murder.
But grieving Ms Di Mauro told 7News the guilty plea should not be taken as a sign of remorse.
Sako had denied the killing in the two years and five months since the attack, and used mental impairment as his defence.
The mum, of Melbourne, Australia, said: "To actually finally hear him admit it, to actually get to yesterday and hear him plead guilty, was quite shocking.
"I’m never going to understand why we’re expected to see that as a sign of remorse."
Ms Di Mauro has visited her daughter’s grave daily since she was laid to rest in November 2020.
"That is where I have to come to spend time with my daughter," she continued.
"I need to live with the fact that I was at home when this happened, she lived at home, and I was too late to stop anything."
Celeste, who was a university graduate, was allegedly stalked by Sako for more than one year before her death. The defendant will be jailed at the same court later this month.
Following Celeste's death, her boyfriend Chris Ridsdale posted on social media: "Celeste was the kind of person who lit up a room as soon as she walked in.
"I am fortunate to be able to say I’m one of the lucky few who she considered her closest friends, and even luckier ... she chose to share her love with me.
"To have known Celeste was to have been blessed.
"Such a kind, caring and selfless soul who had an impact on everyone she came into contact with."
