Elise Hodder death: How she achieved her dream just days before being run over at a rave party

A young model had been celebrating a six-page photo shoot she did for a major fashion magazine in New York just a week before she was allegedly run over and killed.

Elise Hodder, 24, was with a group of friends at a rave at Sir Zelman Cowen Park in Kooyong, in Melbourne’s east, when she was hit by a reversing car about 1.10am on Sunday.

It is alleged Connor Matthiasson, 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.

Ms Hodder had only a week ago shared photos from a shoot she did for New York-based fashion publication Vanguard Magazine.

She was spread across six full pages for the magazine’s August issue, which was photographed by Jeremy Orr.

Mr Orr was also hit by the car on Sunday morning but was not injured.

Matthiasson was subsequently charged with culpable driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, negligence causing serious injury and driving without a license.

He was released on bail at his second court appearance on Tuesday.

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.

It is also alleged that Matthiasson had cannabis in his system.

In granting bail, Magistrate Donna Bakos said the young man’s father had offered a $100,000 guarantee and police agreed the risks could be mitigated.

Under the conditions of his release, Matthiasson will lose his passport, not be allowed to get behind the wheel and will have to comply with treatment programs.

Ms Bakos said the police’s case against Matthiasson was “strong, and if convicted the likely sentence is a lengthy prison sentence.”

“The applicant has decided to drive to the rave party. He made the decision to drink and use drugs, and these decisions have had consequences,” police allege.

In their filing, police admitted there were “tribal issues” with their case, namely that there were differing accounts from two passengers in Matthiasson’s car at the time of the incident.

Ms Bakos told the court Matthiasson was allegedly leaving an illegal rave when he “heavily accelerated” while reversing his 2009 Holden Commodore.

“Due to the steering input, the Holden struck a Haval SUV parked next to it (and) continued to reverse and struck a pedestrian,” Bakos said.

‘This person was slightly injured. Witnesses in the area then yelled at the applicant for hitting a pedestrian.

‘(Matthiasson) accelerated hard, causing the Holden to move forward (and) then hit two more pedestrians before colliding again with the Haval.

‘The applicant (Matthiasson) has no relevant criminal history, no traffic offences, no adverse bail history.

“He has a strong and supportive family to live with and a significant guarantee is provided (as well as) bail conditions.”

Matthiasson’s high-profile criminal lawyer George Balot said his client wanted to send his condolences to Ms Hodder’s family.

“He would like to express his deep, sincere condolences to the family of the deceased and the pedestrian in hospital. “I have been instructed to convey his deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,” Mr Balot said.

“My client is relieved to be released on bail and receive the treatment he so desperately needs.”

On Monday, the 23-year-old’s father told the Melbourne Magistrates Court he was unaware of his son’s alleged cannabis use, but said his mother’s suicide seven years ago took a heavy toll on the then teenager.

“They were very close,” he told the court.

Outside court, the father told reporters he sympathized with Ms Hodder’s family.

“It’s devastating – absolutely devastating, I really can’t… and I don’t know what to say,” he said.

Matthiasson’s lawyer George Balot added: ‘The family extends their deepest condolences to the family of this woman and a speedy recovery to the other injured woman.’

Mr Matthiasson admitted in court that he had not seen his son in person since Christmas, but agreed to provide him with 24-hour supervision and post a $100,000 bond.

Tributes have now been paid to the young model and the lifeguard.

It is believed she had just arrived at the rave when she was reportedly hit by the car.

‘Simply: she was a beautiful, beautiful soul with a charisma that touched everyone. Her presence, respect for others and calmness is what the world was fortunate to have,” her parents, Michael and Pauline, told the newspaper. Herald Sun.

“Our hearts are broken, but committed to supporting family and her friends. Torn, but your smile and heartbeat will always be with us.”

It is believed Ms Hodder and Matthiasson were both present at the rave but did not know each other.

Police had attended the rave after noise complaints and witnessed the alleged incident.

Mr Orr paid a heartfelt tribute to Ms Hodder and said her death ‘didn’t feel real’.

‘In the short time I got to know you, you touched my heart and bore a heavy burden. You were truly the most kind, sweet, loving, giving, kind, caring, gentle, strong and beautiful (inside and out),” the photographer wrote on Instagram.

“I can’t believe and never thought I would be writing this and we are in so much pain thinking about you and the fact that we will never see your amazing smile or hear your laugh again.

“This doesn’t feel real and I hope you know how much we all loved you!” You are truly a treasure – once in a lifetime.

“We will miss you so beautifully that we are heartbroken.”

Ms Hodder’s agency, FiveTwenty Model Management, described the 24-year-old 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.”

The court was told Matthiasson had previously been charged with malicious damage but was convicted without conviction in October 2023.

He will appear in court next year, on February 17.