Celeste Manno’s alleged killer named as former co-worker Luay Nader Sako

On Tuesday afternoon, Ms Manno’s parents, two brothers and boyfriend Chris returned to the home, where dozens of family and friends have left floral tributes.

Alessandro, 19, said his sister was a team leader at her job at a Mill Park call centre run by global company Serco.

Mr Sako was one of her former team members who left the company about a year ago. Police are investigating.

Ms Manno was at home with her mother Aggie in the early hours of Monday morning when an intruder allegedly broke in, smashing her bedroom window and stabbing her before fleeing by climbing a side fence.

The family does not know how Ms Manno’s home address, where she lived with her mother and younger brother, was found.

Ms Manno’s older brother Jayden, 33, said his younger sister was the most “bright, lively” woman.

“She was the most intelligent one of all of us, the best of all us. She was loved by everyone – there [isn’t] a soul on this Earth who could ever say a bad thing. Such an amazing person,” he said.

He said the family were struggling to come to terms with their grief.

“It’s harrowing. Harrowing. Such a senseless, unfathomable evil act. Should never happen, not to our family, not to anyone’s family. This can’t happen, it should never happen.

“No family should go through this.”

Ms Manno was looking forward to celebrating her 24th birthday on Sunday.

She was excited to visit her new niece, Daisy, whom she had only been able to see a few times due to coronavirus restrictions.

Many colleagues visited the scene on Tuesday, leaving flowers and crying and hugging one another.

A woman who was in Ms Manno’s team at work said the 23-year-old was wise beyond her years and had climbed the ranks of the company quickly.

“She had a very positive energy,” she said.

“She was a strong girl, very strong. You wouldn’t see it because she was all about positive energy and gave us that positivity. I don’t think it was something she would ever want anyone to know.”

Messages left at the floral tribute outside her home spoke of a young woman who was widely loved.

“You were my angel. I love you always. Thank you for everything. Rest in peace.”

Another said: “RIP angel gone too soon.”

Forensic cleaners were let into the home by police in the morning, cleaning blood stains off a high side fence. A man came to replace a window at the home about 2.45pm.

Ms Manno studied criminology and psychology at RMIT.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report via crimestoppersvic.com.au.