The relationship between Tatiana Dokhotaru and Danny Zayat was a descent into chaos, a volatile spiral described in court as reaching a “real low.” What began as a romance ended in a tragedy that unfolded within the walls of Dokhotaru’s Sydney apartment in May 2023.
After nearly four days of deliberation, a jury delivered a verdict: Danny Zayat, 31, was convicted of killing the woman who, despite the pain she endured, continued to harbor feelings for him until her final moments.
Years of abuse and escalating threats had cast a long shadow over Dokhotaru’s life. A domestic violence restraining order issued in 2022 proved tragically insufficient to protect her from the man who would ultimately take her life.
Originally from British Columbia, Dokhotaru had built a life for herself in Australia, but the details of her livelihood were overshadowed by the darkness that consumed her final days.
Her desperate plea for help, captured in a chilling 911 call, revealed the terror she felt in those final moments: “My ex-boyfriend’s here and he’s trying to kill me… he’s bashing me.” The line abruptly went silent, her phone discarded over the balcony, leaving unanswered questions hanging in the air.
Zayat initially fled the scene, only to return the following morning and contact authorities. His actions, however, couldn’t erase the horror of what had transpired.
The most heartbreaking testimony came from an innocent witness – Dokhotaru’s toddler son, left alone with his mother’s body. His simple, devastating words painted a picture of unimaginable loss: “Daddy was angry… I couldn’t wake mommy up.”
Zayat maintained his innocence throughout the trial, denying any violent tendencies and claiming a simple argument had occurred. But the evidence presented told a different story.
A pathologist determined Dokhotaru died from a blunt force head injury, the result of one or more blows, potentially combined with a fall. Prosecutors argued this was not an accident, but a deliberate act of violence.
The prosecution also suggested robbery played a role in the events, adding another layer of complexity to the case. The jury, after seeking clarification between murder and manslaughter, ultimately reached a decisive 11-1 verdict for murder.
Zayat remained stoic as the verdict was read, later collapsing in despair. His defense team had attempted to portray Dokhotaru as depressed and suicidal, but evidence of her suffering contradicted this narrative.
Messages to friends revealed a pattern of abuse – being dragged by her hair, visible bruising around her neck – incidents she often downplayed, attributing them to accidents or clumsiness.
Despite the abuse, the prosecution acknowledged a lingering affection Dokhotaru held for Zayat, urging the jury to understand that victims don’t always behave in predictable ways.
Even with the conviction secured, Zayat continues to proclaim his innocence and is preparing for a potential appeal. Sentencing is scheduled for December.
For Dokhotaru’s friend, Amber Haleta, the verdict brings a measure of relief, but the pain of loss remains. She will travel to Australia to deliver a victim impact statement, a final tribute to a “beautiful, smart, loving mother” whose life was tragically cut short.
