Sydney, Australia – October 19, 2025 – The trial of Danny Zayat, accused of murdering his ex-partner Tatiana ‘Tanya’ Dokhotaru, 34, continues in the NSW Supreme Court, with disturbing testimony shedding light on a history of violence, threats, and the moments leading up to her tragic death in May 2023.
What Happened
On May 2023, Tatiana Dokhotaru was found dead in her apartment in southwest Sydney after a brutal attack. Her ex-partner Danny Zayat, 30, has been charged with her murder, accused of killing her the night before she was discovered. Authorities were alerted when a young child – who cannot be identified for legal reasons – found the body the following day and reported hearing screams before waking up to find the woman dead on a couch.
Tatiana, who was known as Tanya, had made a triple-zero call the night before her death, during which she reportedly expressed distress. The child, in interviews with police, described finding Tanya on the couch, unable to wake her up, and noticing blood coming from her nose. When Zayat arrived, he allegedly called police and paramedics, but the child noticed his odd behavior, saying he was “fake crying” when officers arrived.
The autopsy revealed that Tanya died from blunt-force head trauma, and the cause of death was found to be accelerated by substances in her system, though not caused by them directly.
Who Was Tatiana ‘Tanya’ Dokhotaru?
Tatiana “Tanya” Dokhotaru was a 34-year-old business owner in Sydney, Australia. She had been in a volatile relationship with Danny Zayat, marked by consistent threats and physical abuse. Her family, especially her mother, Olya Dokhotaru, and stepfather, Denis Thievin, who reside in Canada, have shared their concerns about her abusive relationship, and their testimony has highlighted the deep emotional toll it took on her.
Her mother recalled hearing Zayat’s abusive language during phone calls in 2022, where he threatened to kill her if she didn’t return home. Olya described the calls as distressing, filled with screaming, and said that Tanya was often in tears.
A Pattern of Abuse and Threats
The jury also heard about prior abuse in the relationship. Tanya’s family shared a video she had sent her mother just weeks before her death, showing bruises around her throat. Olya noted the fingerprints visible on her daughter’s neck, suggesting it was a result of physical violence. Tanya had texted her mother the day before her death, saying she was at the doctor’s office for “bad bruising” and claimed to have fallen over her vacuum cleaner. However, her mother believed this was a cover-up for the abuse she had suffered.
Zayat’s Defense and Response
Zayat has pleaded not guilty to murder and denies any involvement in the physical violence that Tanya endured. He has suggested that Tanya had suicidal thoughts and was depressed, claiming that she had expressed these feelings to him before he left the apartment the night before her death.
Zayat’s defense argues that he was not responsible for Tanya’s death and presents the possibility of manslaughter as an alternative charge.
On the day after her death, Zayat reportedly attempted CPR and was seen crying and wailing when emergency services arrived at the scene. He maintained that Tanya had struggled with depression and had expressed thoughts of suicide before he left.
Public Reaction and Legal Proceedings
The case has drawn attention due to the violent and troubling nature of the relationship, as well as the young child’s testimony, which was pivotal in building the case against Zayat. The NSW Supreme Court continues to hear evidence, including police interviews with the child and testimony from Tanya’s family about the long-standing abuse she suffered.
The trial is ongoing, with Zayat facing charges of murder and manslaughter. The defense and prosecution continue to present their arguments, and the jury will have to decide whether the evidence supports the charge of murder or if a lesser charge applies.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
