Eurydice Dixon: Man who raped and murdered 22-year-old comedian walking home from gig jailed for life
Jaymes Todd sentenced to minimum of 35 years following brutal killing in Melbourne
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man who raped and murdered a young comedian in Australia as she walked home from a gig has been jailed for life.
Jaymes Todd, from Broadmeadows in Melbourne, pleaded guilty last year to killing 22-year-old Eurydice Dixon, in a case which sparked national anger and an outpouring of grief.
At a court in Victoria on Monday, Todd was handed a minimum of 35 years in prison with no chance of parole. Sentencing the 20-year-old, Justice Stephen Kaye said his actions were of “pure and unmitigated evil”.
Prosecutors said Todd had stalked Dixon for more than two-and-a-half miles on 13 June after she left a city club where she had been performing a late-night show.
Having followed her through the city streets for more than an hour, he launched his attack against the “totally vulnerable and defenceless” Dixon in Princes Park.
“You knew what you were doing was wrong, well understanding the effects of choking a female victim,” Justice Kaye said, adding Todd’s chances of rehabilitation were low and that his autism was not a contributing factor in the murder.
The court heard Todd had fantasised about violent rape culminating in a woman’s death in the year before Dixon’s killing, and how he was diagnosed with sexual sadism disorder while in custody.
Dixon’s father, Jeremy, said it was a “terrible tragedy all round” and that he extended his sympathy to Todd’s family.
“What I’d wish for Jaymes Todd, and what I believe Eurydice would wish, is that he gets better and realises what he’s done,” Mr Dixon said outside court.
He added: “Eurydice herself should be remembered as her friends will remember her – for her wit, her courage and her kindness, not for her death.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments