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Kate Bell, 31, was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend in their Richmond apartment in the early hours of October 10. Photo / supplied
A young “kind-soul” Kiwi was killed in Melbourne by a man she had just started a relationship with, a New Zealander who died in an alleged suicide after the murder.
The Herald-Sun reports that Kate Bell, 31, was killed by Rahul Patel, 29, in her apartment in the early hours of Saturday.
Forty minutes after the police were informed, Patel was found dead near the apartment.
Bell had started a relationship with Patel only a few months ago and there were concerns about his mental health in the days leading up to his murder, the Herald-Sun reports.
A close associate told the newspaper that she appeared to be in high spirits days before her death.
“She was in a good place. There was nothing to suggest that something was wrong,” said the associate.
Bell moved to Melbourne from New Zealand in 2018 and worked as a personal assistant at Deloitte before beginning her new role as an executive assistant at construction consultancy Rider Levett Bucknall in May.
RLB director Tony Moleta told the Herald-Sun that she was a brilliant young woman who would be greatly missed by her colleagues.
“Kate will be remembered as someone who had a kind soul and never said a bad word about anything or anyone,” he said.
“She always strived to achieve the best result for everyone around her and our lives will be better for having known her.
“Kate was an enthusiastic and valued member of our team, enjoying the life that had been created here in Melbourne.”
Patel’s LinkedIn profile shows that he worked as a facilities manager at CBRE Global Investors and previously attended the University of Auckland.
Neighbors reportedly woke up and screamed before a man in a black hoodie was seen fleeing the apartment block around 3.20 a.m.
At 4 a.m., Patel was discovered dead nearby, the Herald-Sun reported.
Detectives continue to investigate the death and informed his New Zealand family by phone.
A family friend told the Herald-Sun it was an “extremely difficult and painful time” for them.
Where to get help:
• 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP) (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• https://www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline
• YOUTH LINE: 0800 376 633
• I NEED TO TALK? Toll Free or Text 1737 (Available 24/7)
• KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.)
• DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757 or TEXT 4202
• NATIONAL ANXIETY 24 HOUR HELP LINE: 0800 269 4389
If it is an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.