Man Accused of Stabbing Woman to Death and Dumping Body in Perth Ocean
A 23-year-old man has been charged with the brutal stabbing death of a woman in Perth, Western Australia, before allegedly hiding her body in his bathroom for days and later dumping it in the ocean.
Prosecutors allege that Muhammad Abdur Rehman Mirza killed 25-year-old Helen Jeremy Solomon Marsuk on December 1, 2022, following a dispute involving drugs. Marsuk’s body was discovered three days later by a recreational fisherman at Success Boat Harbour in South Fremantle.
Police said the victim had suffered 16 stab wounds, four of which were potentially fatal. Prosecutors told the WA Supreme Court that Mirza invited Marsuk to his apartment under the pretense of providing her with drugs in exchange for sex, but a violent altercation broke out when she realized he had none.
According to court evidence, Mirza initially blamed a drug dealer for the killing, telling investigators that he was also injured and threatened. However, prosecutors allege he later confessed to an undercover operative, claiming he acted in self-defense.
Mirza’s defense lawyer, Simon Watters, argued that his client was attacked first and only grabbed a knife after Marsuk became “aggressive and upset.” Watters told the jury, “He wasn’t necessarily looking where he was stabbing.”
Body Hidden in Bathroom
Prosecutors allege that after the stabbing, Mirza concealed Marsuk’s body in his bathroom for several days. During this time, he reportedly hosted a friend in the apartment, keeping the bathroom door locked to hide the remains. Eventually, he allegedly transported the body and disposed of it in the ocean.
Crown prosecutor Katrin Robinson emphasized the severity of Marsuk’s injuries, pointing out that Mirza continued to inflict stab wounds despite the victim being gravely wounded. “She was much more injured than him,” Robinson said, adding that Mirza chose not to call an ambulance because he feared police involvement.
Victim and Suspect’s Background
Marsuk, from the Perth suburb of Koongamia, was reportedly struggling with a dependency on methylamphetamine. She and Mirza are said to have communicated through the encrypted messaging app Telegram prior to the killing. Prosecutors claim that Mirza promised her drugs in exchange for sex but failed to deliver, sparking the deadly confrontation.
The case has drawn attention due to its chilling details — from the multiple stab wounds to the alleged concealment of the body in a small apartment bathroom before the disposal at sea.
Trial Underway
Mirza faces one count of murder. His trial at the WA Supreme Court is scheduled to run until September 19, 2025. If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence.
The defense maintains that Mirza acted out of fear during a sudden dispute, while prosecutors insist the excessive violence and concealment of the crime prove intent.
As the trial continues, the case underscores the dangers of drug-related disputes and highlights the extreme violence that can erupt from such encounters. For the victim’s family, the proceedings represent a long wait for justice following the discovery of her body nearly three years ago.
