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How parents learned of daughter’s death

Tatiana
Tatiana "Tania" Dokhotaru was found dead in her Liverpool apartment block on Saturday night by police. Picture: Instagram @ personalluxgoods

The heartbroken parents of a woman who was found dead in her apartment say they are “lost” and are demanding answers from NSW Police over her death.

The body of Tatiana “Tania” Dokhotaru was found in her Liverpool apartment on Saturday 24 hours after she called triple-0 for help.

Her parents, who live in Canada, say they were left in the dark by NSW Police despite knowing their daughter was missing, with her father Dennis Thievin learning about her death on social media.

Tatiana "Tania" Dokhotaru was found dead in her Liverpool apartment block on Saturday night by police. Picture: Instagram
Tatiana "Tania" Dokhotaru was found dead in her Liverpool apartment block on Saturday night by police. Picture: Instagram
The pair said they discovered their daughter's death on social media. Photo: 7 News
The pair said they discovered their daughter’s death on social media. Photo: 7 News

“We uncovered the terrible news ourselves by going online and checking it on social media,” he told 7 News.

Ms Dokhotaru, 34, had placed a frantic call to police about 11.40pm on Friday, saying she was being assaulted in her apartment but did not leave her details.

Police reached her unit block at 3am on Saturday, but could not locate her in the 297-apartment complex.

It was only when a neighbour contacted police with concerns that officers were able to find her body on Saturday night.

Her parents have expressed their outrage over the actions of police.

“After she called for help, it’s so confusing, how is it possible?” her mother Olya asked through tears.

Police reached her apartment block at 3am on Saturday, but could not locate her in the 297-unit complex. Picture: Instagram
Police reached her apartment block at 3am on Saturday, but could not locate her in the 297-unit complex. Picture: Instagram

“Had they responded in a timely manner, Tania may be alive today,” her father said.

“But surely it could have been done better than it was.”

Her parents have remembered the young mother as a happy and strong woman.

“That girl, she was extremely happy all the time, she was a strong woman, I never expect to hear news like this,” her mother said.

Her partner, 28-year-old Danny Zayat, was arrested at the scene and charged with stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (DV), contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (DV) and destroy or damage property (DV).

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said police were now investigating how Ms Dokhotaru died, and no charges relating to her death have been made.

Danny Zayat, 28, was denied bail on Sunday. Picture: Instagram
Danny Zayat, 28, was denied bail on Sunday. Picture: Instagram

The court was told on Monday Mr Zayat was facing more than a dozen new charges, including domestic-violence-related choking without consent, assault occasioning bodily harm, and common assault.

Mr Zayat was formally refused bail in Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.

Police have launched a critical incident inquiry to examine their response to the initial call.

“The priority given to the job, the inquiries conducted to establish that priority, the inquiries established to find the source of the anonymous triple-0 call and the officers inquiries are subject to the critical incident investigation,” Assistant Commissioner Smith said.