A man accused of drowning his former lover in the bathtub will stand trial for murder in Melbourne after pleading not guilty to the crime.
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Lalor man Murat Davsanoglu, 42, has been charged with killing 34-year-old mother Ozlem Karakoc - also known as "Ozzie" - by using his full body weight to drown her in Dandenong last July 14.
Davsanoglu allegedly claimed the pair had a "suicide pact", but Melbourne Magistrates Court was told Ms Karakoc was scared of him and wanted to marry another man by the name of Ozden Gonullu.
According to court documents, Mr Gonullu said he started dating Ms Karakoc - who was known to suffer bipolar disorder - in February last year, a few months before her death.
He said he noticed "how caring and beautiful" she was when his father became ill and Ms Karakoc helped him and his family.
"During this time I decided I wanted to be with Ozlem and I wanted her no matter what. She gave me strength and I decided I couldn't let this beautiful girl pass," he said in a statement.
Mr Gonullu said he last spoke to Ms Karakoc on the evening of July 13 last year via Snapchat.
He said he messaged her twice the following morning, but she didn't reply.
Within a few hours Mr Gonullu discovered his girlfriend had gone missing.
On Tuesday, Anne Heslop told the court her close friend Ms Karakoc was planning to marry Davsanoglu and that he'd arranged a wedding dress for her.
But she said Ms Karakoc wanted to be with Mr Gonullu now.
Ms Heslop said Ms Karakoc had become afraid, with Davsanoglu constantly hassling her.
Davsanoglu will appear in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Friday for a pre-trial directions hearing.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.
Australian Associated Press