Man who raped and killed student, 21, pens bizarre apology letter to her parents

A monster who raped and murdered a 21-year-old student has penned a bizarre apology letter to her parents.

Aiia Maasarwe was fatally attacked in north Melbourne after a night out with friends in January, and her partially-naked body was found in bushes the following morning.

She was speaking to her sister on Facetime when she was murdered, detectives said.

Codey Herrmann pleaded guilty to her rape and murder in June and his apology letter was read out to the court during a pre-sentencing hearing.

His lawyer Tim Marsh read the letter to Victoria's Supreme Court on Thursday.

It said: "I'm sorry. Your daughter didn't deserve such a terrible and tragic thing to happen to her.


"I will try to make amends for the rest of my life."

He also added: "Don't give in to hate like I did."

Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for Hermann.

ABC reports Andrew Bourke, prosecuting, told the court: "We have an offender who was angry, who has hatred, walking the streets…and acted upon that anger."

Mr Marsh told the court Hermann had been in foster care from a young age and that deprivation led to a personality disorder which was a factor in his offending.

But Mr Bourke said this did not "fully explain" Hermaann's actions.

Ms Maasarew had been at a comedy club in Melbourne on the night she was attacked.


Friends dropped her off at a Bourke Street tram stop in the central business district at about 10.50pm.

The international student got off a tram outside a shopping centre and called her sister, who was overseas, to catch up, but as they were talking she was attacked.

She is believed to have dropped the phone as the "horrendous" crime was committed, and her sister then "heard voices" and alerted police.

Herrmann repeatedly beat her over the head with a metal pole, sexually assaulted her and then covered her if WD-40 spray before setting her alight.

Ms Maasarwe then called her sister to catch up and they were chatting when she was attacked, said Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper.

He told reporters: “Sadly, her sister was talking to her, the phone then appeared to fall to the ground and she couldn’t contact her, so we think that’s the time.


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