Two people have been charged over the stabbing death of an up-and-coming model after an alleged altercation on a bus in Wyndham Vale on Wednesday.
Two people have been charged over the stabbing death of an up-and-coming model after an alleged altercation on a bus in Wyndham Vale on Wednesday.
By Ashleigh McMillan, Marta Pascual Juanola and Angus Delaney
Updated February 22, 2025 — 7.09pmfirst published at 7.18am
A man and a teenager have been charged with murder over the death of up-and-coming model Natan Mwanza in Wyndham Vale following an alleged stabbing on a bus.
Police said Mwanza was sitting on the bus when two young men approached him and a fight allegedly broke out. The fight spilled out onto a nature strip near Haines Drive, where Mwanza, who was not known to police, was stabbed just before 8pm on Wednesday.
Paramedics tried to save the 23-year-old but he died at the scene.
Lwe Taw Ehm, 22, from Ascot, in Bendigo, faced a magistrates’ court on Saturday charged with his murder.
In a separate hearing, a 17-year-old boy – who cannot be named for legal reasons – faced a children’s court, also on a murder charge. The teenager attended his hearing via video link from a youth justice centre, wearing a black sweater.
Mwanza’s sister Naomi said his death had “taken a piece” of her family.
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She believed her brother had taken public transport to Wyndham Vale in order to go on his daily run.
The 23-year-old was remembered online as “humble”, and had appeared in ad campaigns for Champion, Nike and several sneaker stores.
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On TikTok, he posted videos of his outfits, his grillz (decorative tooth covers made of precious metals and jewels), and behind-the-scenes moments at photoshoots.
Mwanza was planning a move to the UK, and hoped to travel to Canada to visit family.
In a separate incident, a 24-year-old man was left with life-threatening injuries on Friday night, after he was stabbed by a group in Footscray.
The offenders fled the scene and police say it’s unclear whether those involved were known to each other.
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Ashleigh McMillan is a breaking news reporter at The Age.Connect via Twitter or email.
Marta Pascual Juanola is a crime reporter at The Age.Connect via Twitter or email.
Angus Delaney is a trainee reporter at The Age.Connect via email.
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