Jayda, 21, begged for cops to protect her – but no-one came. Now she’s been found beaten to death…and a man has turned himself in to police: ‘We knew this was going to happen’

DAILYMAIL.COM • 2h ago

By WAYNE FLOWER, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA 02:36 13 Oct 2026, updated 02:36 13 Oct 2026

The family of a young Melbourne woman feared murdered in a domestic violence attack have lashed out at police for not intervening before her death.

Jayda Allen Bonner, 21, was found dead inside a fifth-floor apartment on Cardigan Street in Carlton, just after 1.45am on Saturday.

Friends say she was beaten to death, but Victoria Police have not confirmed that.

On Tuesday morning, a 31-year-old man from Carlton handed himself into a police station where he was arrested, but no charges have yet been laid.

A 60-year-old man who was arrested shortly after the incident was released pending further enquiries.

The older man had only joined Ms Bonner upstairs that night and had nothing to do with her death, according to Ms Bonner’s friends and family.

But they say the victim and her friends had previously pleaded for help from police and were ignored.

‘Unfortunately a few years ago [a mon known to her] did time in jail for brutalising Jayda,’ Ms Bonner’s aunt Kellie Carter-Bell told YouTuber and street-vlogger TJ YT.

‘But unfortunately, we know what these perpetrators are like, and they control you. He controlled every breath she took.’

Ms Carter-Bell said Ms Bonner had been assaulted on the night of her death, before a call was made to Triple-0 claiming she was self-harming.

‘We knew this was going to happen. We begged police for help six weeks ago,’ she said.

‘Jayda made a statement and unfortunately withdrew it because he was controlling her, even from a distance.’

Ms Carter-Bell said her niece had a ‘soul of gold’ and ‘a heart for the world’.

‘And she did not deserve this. If you girls or boys are going through the exact same thing, please reach out for help,’ she said.

A Victoria Police said it would not comment on the ongoing investigation.

‘As part of investigations, Victoria Police will thoroughly examine any interactions between police and the victim in the lead-up to her death,’ a spokesman added.

Friends claimed neighbours never heard a sound on the night Ms Bonner died.

‘Neighbours have previously called 000 and have helped her when bleeding, crying etc,’ one friend claimed on social media.

‘Her family was screaming from the streets below begging “LET HER GO”.’

Melbourne crime reporter Adam Shand supported Ms Carter-Bell in a post to his own social media account.

In calling for ‘justice for Jayda’, Shand claimed one man had been served with at least five domestic violence orders from ‘other women in the building’.

‘If he was responsible, why was he still walking the streets? We have to do better,’ Shand said.

On Tuesday, floral tributes and notes continued to be left outside the complex where Ms Bonner died.

A GoFundMe has been launched to help Ms Bonner’s family to help with funeral costs and travel expenses for those interstate.

‘Nothing can bring Jayda back, but together we can help ensure her family feels the love, support, and strength of the community around them during this difficult time,’ organiser Jarvis Atkinson said.

‘Forever 21. Forever our girl. Forever shining on Country.’

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Labour’s new ‘£9bn’ stealth tax raid: Hated freeze on thresholds set to hammer Brits even harder as…

Katie Price tells court she confronted ex Kieran Hayler over claims he raped girl, 13, and asked if…

Witnesses screamed at man to ‘play dead’ before he was mauled to death by tiger at Yorkshire zoo -…

Tiger attack witness reveals victim asked her to take his picture moments before he jumped into the…

Saudi Arabia’s terrified Crown Prince MBS ‘is moving between heavily guarded palaces with bunkers as…

Nato chief warns his forces will destroy ‘anything and everything’ if Putin is ‘foolish enough’ to…

Family discover daughter, 15, is alive in her coffin during wake

Harry and Meghan’s new life as ‘private citizens’: Sussexes will make first joint public appearance…

Student carried out a ‘cold-blooded execution’ of university housemate by ‘ambushing him and…

Burnham says Brexit ‘not good enough’ as he vows to cosy up to EU at next month’s summit – as…

Boris Johnson suggests Burnham is LYING about Russian interference in EU referendum – as No10…

‘When everything was falling apart, Carole was the one’: ROBERT JOBSON reveals how Prince William…

British woman is left stranded in Greek hospital with £10,000 medical bill after breaking her back…

Passenger jet makes emergency landing after power bank bursts into flames

NADINE DORRIES: Meghan has started a media war – here’s how Kate can win it

Mother-of-six, 46, lost her legs, hands and lips after hysterectomy went badly wrong, $68m lawsuit…

Family of Jayda Allen Bonner begged police for help before her deathComments are subject to our House rules and TermsNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}}

No one seems to have shared their thoughts on this topic yetLeave a comment so your voice will be heard first.

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{#replies.comments}}{{^isLast}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/isLast}}{{#isLast}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/isLast}}{{/replies.comments}}{{/replies.totalCount}}{{^replies.totalCount}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/replies.totalCount}}{{/isComment}}The opinions and views expressed in the comments section are solely those of the individual users and do not represent or reflect the opinions, views, or positions of MailOnline. MailOnline does not endorse, support, or verify the accuracy of any user-generated content.Terms|Privacy|FeedbackOldest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}}