Vigils held in Australia for murdered Israeli student

Hundreds of Australians dressed in black gathered in Melbourne on the steps of Victorian state parliament late Friday for a silent vigil in memory of murdered Israeli student Aiia Maasarwe.

The 21-year-old was killed on the way home from a comedy show in Melbourne just after midnight Tuesday.

Her body was found in bushes near a tram stop by passers-by several hours later on Wednesday morning.

"It's a sad reason that we are here today," one man attending the vigil told Channel Seven TV news.

"To sit and stand in anger for what has happened."
A woman holding back tears at the event said: "It's just so sad, she seemed like such a lovely girl."
"I want to be with her for more time, but someone decided I cannot be."
"We shouldn't have these one-off vigils. There needs to be continued engagement and conversation about violence against women."