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Her name was Monique Lezsak.

Content warning: This story includes descriptions of alleged domestic violence that may be distressing to some readers.

Her name was Monique Lezsak, a mum of two who loved bodybuilding and had dreams of joining the police force.

Emergency services were called to a home in Endeavour Hills in Melbourne's south-east about 7.30am last Tuesday, following reports of a serious altercation between a man and a woman.

At the scene, Monique was found with stab wounds and died from her injuries. She was 39.

Watch: Women and violence, the hidden numbers. Post continues below. 


Video via Mamamia. 

Paramedics also took one child to the Monash Medical Centre in a stable condition. Monique was a mother of 10-year-old twins, her ex-partner and the father of the twins reportedly telling media that it was one of the twins who was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Lezsak's 10-year-old daughter was injured when she reportedly came to her mother's aid. 

Monique's boyfriend, Sven Lindemann, was under police guard in hospital in a serious condition with upper body injuries, following the incident. Police have confirmed the man and woman involved in the altercation knew each other.

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Lindemann aged 51 was then on Saturday charged with murder. 

He appeared via video link in Melbourne Magistrates' Court, Lindemann to reappear in court on October 16. Homicide squad detectives have said they are not looking for anyone else connected at this stage. Lindemann was also charged with recklessly causing injury.

As per a tally by Destroy The Joint, Monique is the 16th woman allegedly killed by violence in Australia in 2023.

Monique Lezsak. Image: Instagram.

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Lezsak's former partner paid tribute to Monique on Tuesday afternoon.

"I just want to say that she is the most beautiful person," he told reporters near the crime scene.

"She's a great mum. She has put 100 per cent into our kids and her own family. She's the most beautiful person. It's such a shame. I really don't understand how this could happen."

He continued: "I couldn't fault her in any way. I was with her for 10 years. We haven't been together since 2015, but she's just a decent person. She's a good mum."

Monique's former partner told the Herald Sun that Monique had plans to become a police officer before she was killed, recently working as a professional bodybuilder, beauty therapy graduate and a disability carer.

"She's achieved a real lot in her life. She has put so much into our kids and her own family... she's just the most beautiful person."

Tributes have been made for the mother of two online, friends saying they are devastated, calling her "the most beautiful mum, daughter and friend".

As one friend said to The Age about Monique: "I loved the way she just focused on what truly mattered. I was drawn to her calmness, kindness, generosity, and caring nature."

If this has raised any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. 

Feature Image: Instagram.