Man, 31, hands himself into police after death of Jayda Allen Bonner
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WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains an image and name of a person who has died, which has been used with the permission of the family.
A man has been arrested after a young Indigenous woman was found dead inside an apartment in Melbourne’s inner north.
The body of Jayda Allen Bonner, 21, was discovered on the fifth floor of a unit complex on Cardigan Street in Carlton about 1.45am on Saturday.
Jayda Allen Bonner was found inside an apartment complex in Carlton on Saturday. Nine
A 31-year-old Carlton man handed himself into police and remains in custody.
The man is expected to be interviewed by Homicide Squad detectives.
Police allege the parties were known to each other.
No charges have been laid.
Police earlier arrested a 60-year-old man in the building’s underground carpark shortly after Allen Bonner was found.
He was questioned and later released.
Allen Bonner’s family said the young woman had been living at the apartment with her partner.
The family said goodbye on Tuesday and were able to hold her hand one final time at the coroner’s office.
Her aunt, Kellie Carter-Bell, said her niece was a “bright light”.
“I want people to understand the person Jayda was and the beautiful light she was,” Carter-Bell told 9News.
Neighbour Caity Gough said she was heartbroken to hear the news.
“She’s 21... she’s a beautiful soul,” she said.
Jayda has been remembered as a “bright light” by her heartbroken aunt. Nine
Kellie Carter-Bell said her family was concerned for Jayda’s welfare in the weeks before she died. 9News
A smoking ceremony will be held in Carlton on Saturday before a group of Allen Bonner’s loved ones march to parliament house to demand and end to violence against women.
Carter-Bell previously told 9News the family was struggling to come to terms with the loss.
“Three different people were ringing me, and I’m thinking, not our Jayda girl. Not our Jayda girl,” Carter-Bell said.
Homicide detectives are investigating the death and were earlier seen collecting evidence at the apartment complex. 9News
“She’s had a really difficult, hard life. But was so, so, so loved.”
She described her niece as a deeply caring young woman.
“She was a caring, loving soul. She was an indigenous girl. She just had a heart of gold, and would do anything for you,” she said.
The family said they had been concerned about Allen Bonner in the weeks before her death.
“She was a shell of herself. She was like a ghost, almost. She had lost so much weight,” Carter-Bell said.
Her family is now demanding answers.
“Something needs to change,” Carter-Bell added.
“The system needs to change.”
Investigations into Allen Bonner’s death continue.
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