Australian model Elise Hodder, 24, is tragically killed in a horrific late-night incident – as her shattered parents break their silence
A young Australian model has died after being run over in a parking lot while leaving a party.
Elise Hodder, 24, was with a group of friends at a party at Sir Zelman Cowen Park in Kooyong in Melbourne’s east when she was struck by the vehicle about 1.10am on Sunday.
The alleged incident was witnessed by police officers who attended the park due to several triple-0 calls about noise complaints.
It is alleged Connor Mathiasson, 23, from Sunbury, was attempting to reverse out of the car park when he struck three pedestrians.
Mrs Hodder became trapped under the car and died at the scene.
Another female pedestrian, 26, was rushed to Alfred Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery to reconstruct both her ankles. The third pedestrian who was hit was uninjured.
Mathiasson has been charged with culpable driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, negligently causing serious injury and driving without a driver’s license.
He was reportedly behind the wheel without a valid driver’s license, which expired in July, and underwent a preliminary breath test that returned a positive result of 0.178, more than three times the legal limit.
Elise Hodder (pictured) was at a party at Sir Zelman Cowen Park with a group of friends when she was hit by a car at around 1.10am on Sunday
Ms Hodder was trapped under the car and died at the scene in Melbourne’s east
It is also alleged that Mathiasson had cannabis in his system.
Mrs Hodder’s heartbroken parents, Pauline and Michael, described their daughter as a ‘beautiful soul with a charisma that touched everyone’. ABC reported.
They were especially “proud” of Ms. Hodder because she recently made it to a full-page spread in the August issue of New York-based fashion publication Vanguard Magazine.
Mrs Hodder’s shocked aunt was at the scene of the accident on Monday to lay flowers at the makeshift memorial.
“She was a beautiful, tall woman (with) beautiful long arms and legs and she would just wrap herself around you and say, ‘How are you?’” Cath Jean told the Herald Sun.
“We adored her, she was just a beautiful soul.”
Mrs Hodder’s parents described their daughter (pictured) as a ‘beautiful soul with a charisma that touched everyone’
Ms Hodder’s agency, FiveTwenty Model Management, described Ms Hodder as ‘a pleasure to work with’.
“She was very curious about the industry and gave it her all, always showing up with an upbeat, upbeat attitude,” the agency said in a statement.
‘It is with great sadness to have received this news. Our condolences go out to her family and friends.
‘We will never forget her presence and place in our hearts. Rest in peace, beautiful girl.”
Mathiasson’s father told the court he was unaware of his son’s alleged cannabis addiction, but said his mother’s suicide seven years ago took a heavy toll on his mental health.
“They were very close,” he told the court.
The father admitted he had not seen his son in person since Christmas but agreed to provide him with 24-hour supervision if he was granted bail.
It is alleged that Connor Mathiasson, 23, was trying to reverse out of the parking lot when he struck three pedestrians
Ms Hodder’s agency, FiveTwenty Model Management, described her as ‘a pleasure to work with’
Mathiasson was taken into custody on Monday.
The complainant is expected to oppose bail as he was allegedly driving without a license while heavily under the influence of substances at the time of the incident.
A decision on his bail will be made on Tuesday morning.