Celeste Manno: Co-worker Murderer Luay Sako goes to Jail

In Australia, a man who stalked and killed his former co-worker has been sentenced to 36 years in jail.

Luay Sako entered Celeste Manno’s Melbourne home in 2020 and fatally stabbed her following a period of stalking.

According to prosecutors, he entered her home shortly after she shared a picture on social media with her new partner, and proceeded to stab her 23 times within a span of two-and-a-half minutes.

Ms Manno’s family strongly feel that Sako deserved a life sentence. Her mother criticised the sentence as “outrageous”.

“It’s truly shocking that the court chose to show him mercy despite his lack of compassion towards Celeste,” expressed Aggie Di Mauro outside the court following the sentencing.

Ms Di Mauro expressed her hope that the court of appeal would see the necessity of a life sentence for true justice in this case.

Thursday’s sentencing in the Supreme Court in Melbourne was attended by numerous family and friends of Ms Manno, filling the gallery.

A report from Australian media stated that a blue glowing urn with her ashes was placed in front of her family during the 45-minute proceedings.

Justice Jane Dixon stated, “Celeste deserved life, but you decided otherwise,” as per a report by Australian public broadcaster ABC.

“The attack was executed with a chilling level of efficiency.”

Emotions ran high when the judge announced that a life sentence would not be given, the strictest punishment allowed under Victoria’s law.

Celeste Manno, 23, held a leadership position at a call centre where Sako, now 39, was also employed.

The stalking started in 2019 after he was let go, and he began sending her messages. Even after Ms Manno pleaded with him to cease, Sako’s messages grew more desperate and obsessive.

She informed the authorities and obtained a temporary restraining order, but he continued to disregard it and was eventually charged with violating the order.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Sako compared her social media posts with Google Maps to determine the location of Ms. Manno’s family residence.

On 16 November 2020, shortly after she shared a picture with her new partner on social media, he arrived at her place and broke her bedroom window with a hammer.

He ran away approximately two and a half minutes later, after brutally stabbing Ms. Manno to death while she was sleeping.

Her mother discovered her body soon after.

Sako proceeded to drive to a police station and accused law enforcement officers of her murder. He requested that they fire at him.

“You know what happened, it’s your fault,” he accused, repeating: “She’s dead, she’s dead.” Go check it out.”

Judge Dixon described Sako’s actions as a heinous offence.

However, she argued in court that life imprisonment was not justified due to his diagnosis of an extreme personality disorder. The judge stated that this led to a significant impairment of his mental functioning at the time of the offence.

In Australia, a man who stalked and killed his former co-worker has been sentenced to 36 years in jail.

Luay Sako entered Celeste Manno’s Melbourne home in 2020 and fatally stabbed her following a period of stalking.

According to prosecutors, he entered her home shortly after she shared a picture on social media with her new partner, and proceeded to stab her 23 times within a span of two-and-a-half minutes.

Ms Manno’s family strongly feel that Sako deserved a life sentence. Her mother criticised the sentence as “outrageous”.

“It’s truly shocking that the court chose to show him mercy despite his lack of compassion towards Celeste,” expressed Aggie Di Mauro outside the court following the sentencing.

Ms Di Mauro expressed her hope that the court of appeal would see the necessity of a life sentence for true justice in this case.

Thursday’s sentencing in the Supreme Court in Melbourne was attended by numerous family and friends of Ms Manno, filling the gallery.

A report from Australian media stated that a blue glowing urn with her ashes was placed in front of her family during the 45-minute proceedings.

Justice Jane Dixon stated, “Celeste deserved life, but you decided otherwise,” as per a report by Australian public broadcaster ABC.

“The attack was executed with a chilling level of efficiency.”

Emotions ran high when the judge announced that a life sentence would not be given, the strictest punishment allowed under Victoria’s law.

Celeste Manno, 23, held a leadership position at a call centre where Sako, now 39, was also employed.

The stalking started in 2019 after he was let go, and he began sending her messages. Even after Ms Manno pleaded with him to cease, Sako’s messages grew more desperate and obsessive.

She informed the authorities and obtained a temporary restraining order, but he continued to disregard it and was eventually charged with violating the order.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Sako compared her social media posts with Google Maps to determine the location of Ms. Manno’s family residence.

On 16 November 2020, shortly after she shared a picture with her new partner on social media, he arrived at her place and broke her bedroom window with a hammer.

He ran away approximately two and a half minutes later, after brutally stabbing Ms. Manno to death while she was sleeping.

Her mother discovered her body soon after.

Sako proceeded to drive to a police station and accused law enforcement officers of her murder. He requested that they fire at him.

“You know what happened, it’s your fault,” he accused, repeating: “She’s dead, she’s dead.” Go check it out.”

Judge Dixon described Sako’s actions as a heinous offence.

However, she argued in court that life imprisonment was not justified due to his diagnosis of an extreme personality disorder. The judge stated that this led to a significant impairment of his mental functioning at the time of the offence.