Daily Mail
My friend was beaten to death by her ex-boyfriend... his 'punishment' proves there's a massive problem in Australia and more women will die if it isn't fixed
By CAITLIN POWELL - NEWS REPORTER and MIKLOS BOLZA FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 07:42 EST, 23 December 2025 | Updated: 07:42 EST, 23 December 2025
The friend of a young woman killed by her abusive ex-boyfriend has slammed his sentence, saying it does not go far enough.
Danny Zayat, 31, flew into a rage as he assaulted Tatiana 'Tanya' Dokhotaru, 34, in her Liverpool unit, in western Sydney, in May 2023.
Ms Dokhotaru suffered three blunt-force injuries to her head, leading to a fatal brain haemorrhage.
On Friday, Zayat was sentenced to the maximum penalty of 24 years in jail, backdated to March 18 when he was first taken into custody.
His 18-year non-parole period means he can apply for release on March 17, 2043.
Mother of two and friend of Ms Dokhotaru, Emily Tatnell, blasted the punishment, arguing it was not enough in the face of Australia's domestic violence epidemic.
'She was one of the most beautiful people I've ever met. She was kind, thoughtful, and deeply devoted to her son,' she said.
'In 2017, I remember the night she told me about Danny. She had concerns due to their age difference. I wish I could go back in time and warn her and save her.
'There was a protection order in place and a documented history of abuse. That night Tatiana’s phone was thrown away when she tried to call her help. She was murdered, and her son was left at the scene. Danny then attempted to conceal his actions.
'A sentence of 24 years, with parole eligibility after 18, does not reflect the severity of this crime.'
Ms Tatnell, a nurse from Melbourne, said all of Ms Dokhotaru's loved ones will ‘live with this loss forever’ and that ‘justice is not only about sentencing’.
'It is about prevention, accountability, and ensuring no other family endures this devastation,' she said.
'I’ve been told that I should just “get over it” or be happy with the outcome. What if it were their mother, their sister, their daughter, or their best friend?
'Would they feel happy with this outcome?'
Evidence heard in the NSW Supreme Court revealed Zayat had viciously beaten Ms Dokhotaru for years before the murder, dragging her by the hair, choking her and giving her a black eye.
'This large, muscular male is standing over a defenceless, diminutive woman having asserted dominance with his fists,' Justice Desmond Fagan said on Friday.
'It is a picture of cowardice and cruelty.'
Justice Fagan found Zayat had persistently assaulted, stalked, threatened and harassed Ms Dokhotaru, failing to accept she wanted to move on.
'Fixation is a phenomenon of interpersonal conflict that is seen often in the court's lists,' the judge said.
'It is dangerous in a man whose female partner has rejected him and is trying to break free from him. The threat of a heavy penalty does not seem to penetrate the thoughts and actions of fixated controlling minds.'
Ms Tatnell said her friend's story shines a light on the domestic violence crisis happening in Australia.
'Nothing will ever make this right or bring her back,' she said.
Ms Tatnell is also a survivor of domestic violence and called for more education and the introduction of Clare's Law across all of Australia.
The proposed legislation enables people to access vital information about a partner’s history of abusive behaviour, supporting safer decisions and early intervention.
The scheme has been implemented in the UK, New Zealand and Canada.
'Knowing a partner’s history of violence can be life-saving,' Ms Tatnell said.
'That is why I believe Clare’s Law must be introduced and implemented consistently across all of Australia.
'Silence protects perpetrators. Australia needs stronger laws, real reform, and a justice system that prioritises lives over leniency.'
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