In a harrowing true crime case that has sent shockwaves through Melbourne, Australia, a young woman named Celeste Mano, just 23 years old, was brutally murdered by a crazed stalker who had tormented her for over a year. The chilling events unfolded on November 16, 2020, when L Seiko, a former colleague, broke into Celeste’s home armed with a hammer and a knife, launching a frenzied attack that left her dead in mere minutes.
Celeste, known for her kindness and vibrant spirit, had been subjected to relentless harassment by Seiko after he developed a dangerous obsession with her. Despite repeated attempts to seek help from law enforcement and numerous reports of his stalking behavior, authorities failed to provide adequate protection. Celeste’s mother, Aggie, expressed profound disappointment with the justice system, stating it had failed to safeguard her daughter despite clear warning signs.
Seiko’s obsession escalated after he was fired from the call center where they both worked. Following a series of inappropriate encounters and explicit messages, Celeste blocked him on social media, but he persisted, creating multiple accounts to contact her. Despite a court-issued personal safety intervention order, Seiko continued to stalk her, even locating her home address.
On that fateful night, after observing Celeste’s social media activity, Seiko armed himself and drove to her house. In a horrific act, he smashed through her bedroom window and stabbed her over 23 times before fleeing the scene. Celeste’s mother found her daughter in a pool of blood, desperately attempting to revive her as paramedics arrived too late.
Seiko was arrested shortly after arriving at a police station, where he bizarrely claimed to be the victim. Charged with murder, he initially pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea to guilty, receiving a sentence of 36 years in prison. However, the lack of a life sentence has left Celeste’s family fearing for the safety of future potential victims. Aggie has since become an advocate for stricter stalking laws, urging for measures that could have saved her daughter’s life. This tragic case serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for better protections against stalking and violence.