MELBOURNE, Australia – Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Rajan Dargee told the Supreme Court of Victoria that Celeste Manno’s killer had harbored an obsession with her and had secretly desired to become her. Luay Nader Sako, 37, took Ms. Manno’s life in November 2020, stabbing her 23 times in her own bed after becoming enraged upon seeing a photo of her with her new boyfriend, Chris Ridsdale. Dr. Dargee revealed that Sako had spent a significant amount of money on products that he believed would help him resemble Ms. Manno, indicating a severe body dysmorphia disorder and an extreme personality disorder in the perpetrator.
Sako had initially wanted to become Ms. Manno and his identity disturbance drove his stalking behavior, according to Dr. Dargee’s testimony. The court learned that Sako had been diagnosed with depression as well as the mentioned disorders. Although not classified as a full psychopath, Dr. Dargee stated that Sako displayed extreme personality disorders and emphasized the significance of body dysmorphia in understanding the earlier stages of the stalking behavior.
Leading up to Ms. Manno’s tragic death, Sako had been arrested for breaches of an intervention order taken out by Ms. Manno. She had confided in her boss about her concerns and had a premonition that her days were numbered. Testimonies also revealed that Ms. Manno had correctly predicted that Sako would ultimately take her life. Furthermore, Sako’s behavior in court, including sacking his barristers, has been described as frustrating and malicious manipulation, involving attempts to evade responsibility for his actions.
Amidst tearful and emotional victim impact statements in court, Ms. Manno’s boyfriend, Chris Ridsdale, lamented the loss of their future together, expressing the constant reminder of the life they should have had. He described the immense struggle and emptiness he felt, emphasizing the hole in his heart that will never be filled. The ongoing court proceedings continue to reveal the horrifying details of the tragic events that led to the young woman’s untimely death.