Luke Lembryk murder trial hears how cocaine Tinder party led to stabbing

After being stabbed through the heart during a break-in gone wrong inside his home in south-west Sydney, a bloodied man desperately clung to life as he told his mother: “I’m going to die, Mum,” they told a court.

Three men and two women are facing trial, accused of playing a role in the alleged murder of Luke Lembryk, with the court hearing that the fatal incident stemmed from a cocaine-fueled Tinder party.

Luke Lembryk, 29, died after being stabbed through the heart in his Condell Park apartment in the early morning hours of December 7, 2019.

Joseph Nehme, Bilal Rahim, Viliami Taufahema, Lisa Anne Price and Sherene Rizk are on trial for their alleged role in the murder of Mr. Lembryk.

On the opening day of his trial on Tuesday, the court heard that months earlier, in August 2019, the 29-year-old matched with Ms Price via Tinder.

It is alleged that Ms Price and another woman went to the unit where all three took lines of cocaine and drank.

“During the conversation, the deceased produced what could be called a wad or wads of cash,” Crown prosecutor Chris Taylor told the court on Tuesday.

The Crown has alleged that Mr. Lembryk was displaying stacks of around $10,000 to $15,000 and the women saw more money in a jacket on the back of his door.

Price left the room while Lembryk and the other woman were having sex, the court heard.

From August to September, Mrs Price mentioned to the other woman that they should “remake this guy”, the Crown alleged.

The court heard that, meanwhile, in December 2019, the police lawfully intercepted Mr. Nehme’s phone.

The court heard that he told Mr. Taufahema on a call: ‘What are we going to do? I need money, brother. I’m broke.

On the evening of December 6, Mr Nehme was at Ms Rizk’s residence in South Sydney together with Ms Price.

Crown’s prosecution said they would rely on phone calls made by Nehme, in which Price and Rizk can be heard in the background, discussing Lembryk’s robbery.

The court heard that in an interview with the police, Ms Rizk had admitted to sticking a knife to Mr Nehme.

At around 1:45 am, Mr. Nehme, Mr. Taufahema and Mr. Rahim were found near Mr. Lembryk’s house.

Police also allegedly intercepted a phone call in which Ms Price, who had previously been to the apartment, gave a detailed description and guided Mr Nehme to the unit.

Paramedics arriving on the scene the morning after Luke Lembryk was stabbed inside his mother’s home in Condell Park, western Sydney, in December 2019.

Sherene Rizk (pictured next to the NSW Supreme Court) has pleaded not guilty for her alleged role in the murder of Luke Lembryk.

It is alleged that Mr. Nehme and Mr. Taufahema entered through a living room window when the fatal confrontation occurred.

“At the facility, the decedent was confronted and stabbed multiple times,” Taylor told the court.

Mr. Nehme, Mr. Rahim, Mr. Taufahema and Ms. Price have pleaded not guilty to murder.

Mr. Rahim pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge of assault with intent to rob company.

Ms. Rizk has pleaded not guilty to being an accessory to murder.

Mr. Taufahema pleaded guilty to breaking and entering at the company with intent to steal while at the company.

Ms. Price and Mr. Rahim have pleaded not guilty to the same charge.

Mr. Lembryk’s mother, who has since died of an unrelated illness, was awakened by a loud bang and as she slowly left her room, she was punched several times and thrown against a wall.

He saw his son hunched over, covered in blood and clutching his stomach.

As she collapsed, the court heard him tell her: ‘I’m going to die, Mom. I’m going to die.’

Mr. Lembryk died as a result of a stab wound that pierced his heart.

The trial before Judge Richard Button continues.