Bodybuilder murderer Sven Lindemann will be sentenced to 31 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 25 years for the frenzied six-knife stabbing of his partner Monique Lezsak after she tried to end their relationship.
Lindemann had previously pleaded guilty to the murder of Lezsak, 39, as well as recklessly wounding her 10-year-old daughter, whose pseudonym is Lily, who was found covered in her mother’s blood after intervening in the horrific attack.
Had he not pleaded guilty, Lindemann would have been sentenced to a total of 37 years, Judge Hollingworth said.
On May 30, 2023, a Melbourne man stabbed his ex-partner 17 times in the head, neck and chest at their home in Endeavor Hills, southeast of Melbourne, with the attack coming days after Lezsak attempted end their five-year relationship. .
Sven Lindemann will face sentence for the murder of Monique Lezsak. Image: Supplied
While Lindemann avoided the maximum sentence of life in prison, Judge Elizabeth Hollingworth said Lindemann had committed a “brutal and frenzied attack”, adding that domestic homicide was “not a less serious category of murder because of the pre-existing relationship”.
He said it was “pure luck” that Lily was not seriously injured, and said Lindemann failed in his duty as a stepfather to protect Lily and her twin brother from harm by subjecting them to the ordeal.
Judge Hollingworth said Lindemann had committed a “rational act”, motivated by jealousy and an “unwillingness to allow his partner to move on with her life”.
She noted his “hypocrisy and sense of entitlement,” which caused her to become “infuriated” at the idea that Ms. Lezsak “could choose to leave him and begin a relationship with someone she had recently met.” This despite the fact that she had previously cheated on his ex-wife.
However, Judge Hollingworth accepted there was “no evidence” his attack was premeditated and accepted it was a relatively spontaneous act.
Judge Elizabeth Hollingworth said Lindemann allegedly stabbed her after an altercation turned violent. Image: Supplied
They praise their daughter’s bravery
Graphic details were revealed at previous hearings, detailing how Lily saw Ms Lezsak dragged from the bedroom to the kitchen, after Lindemann’s knife broke.
In total, Lindemann used six knives in the attack and inflicted seven stab wounds and 10 cuts on Ms Lezsak, with Lily suffering five injuries in the attack.
Sven Lindemann pleaded guilty to the murder of his partner Monique Lezsak. Image: Supplied
The court was told Lily managed to disarm Lindemann twice, before she called triple-0, and the attack unfolded while Lily’s twin brother was in a nearby room.
On Wednesday, Judge Hollingworth also highlighted Lily’s “bravery” and praised her attempts to save her mother.
“Hopefully, when she grows up, Lily will come to understand that there was nothing more she could have done to save her mother, who would have been very proud of her courage and determination,” he said.
Monique Lezsak was stabbed in an Endeavor Hills home in May 2023. Image: Instagram,
Her twin son and daughter were home at the time, and her 10-year-old daughter Lily intervened in the attack. Photo: Instagram
Lindemann ordered to stop the “crocodile tears”
Before adjourning the case for sentencing earlier this month, Judge Hollingworth said Lindemann had committed the “terrible” act after a “seething” day.
“He was so angry that he dragged her around the house, grabbed six different knives and was able to break two of them in the process,” he said.
“He wouldn’t be deterred by a 10-year-old girl trying to stop him… He was out of control, he was ferocious and he was determined to kill her.”
Judge Hollingworth also admonished the bodybuilder for crying in court, demanding he “stop the crocodile tears.”
It’s not even remotely persuasive. “It’s a little late to pretend he’s sorry,” he said.
‘The evidence is completely contrary. He still maintains that she ruined her life, he doesn’t accept that he killed her and ruined her own life.