By Laura Michell
A 20-year-old Bundoora man has faced court over the death of Arab-Israeli student Aiia Maasarwe.
Codey Herrmann, who is unemployed and describes himself as a rapper, appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Saturday afternoon, charged with one count each of rape and murder.
He was arrested in Greensborough on Friday morning by local police working in partnership with homicide detectives.
Herrmann was on bail for minor offences.
Ms Maasarwe’s body was found by passers-by in shrubbery outside the Polaris Shopping Centre on Main Drive on January 16.
Police allege the 21-year-old was attacked after getting off a tram on Plenty Road shortly after midnight.
It is believed Ms Maasarwe was at a club in North Melbourne on Tuesday night and caught the route 86 tram from a Bourke Street stop.
The charges against Herrmann come as mourners, including Ms Maasarwe’s family, gathered outside the Polaris Shopping Centre on Sunday to honour her life.
On Friday, students at La Trobe University’s Bundoora campus gathered for a memorial for Ms Maasarwe, who was enrolled at La Trobe College. The college is located on the university campus.
In a statement, La Trobe University vice-chancellor John Dewar and La Trobe College director Tony Cranshaw said the community was shocked and saddened by the killing of Ms Maasarwe.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the student’s family and friends,” the statement said.
The university has also pledged to improve safety in and around the campus.
“The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff is of paramount importance … on campus we undertake a range of activities to improve personal and physical safety and our security has been intensified as a result of this incident,” the statement read.
“The safety of our students and staff is also of critical importance off campus, including on public transport, and we will continue to work closely with relevant authorities, including Public Transport Victoria, to address serious safety issues on public transport.
“We are committed to continuing to work closely with all relevant authorities to address these serious community issues around public safety and violence against women.”
North west metro region acting Superintendent Tony Ryan said he understood the community was shocked and concerned following Ms Maasarwe’s death.
He said police patrols of the area would increase.
