Boyfriend of Melbourne accountant Nikkita Azzopardi charged with murder after her body was found by her brother in her South Morang home

The boyfriend of a woman whose body was found by her family during a benefits check will appear in court after being charged with murder.

Nikkita Azzopardi, 35, was found dead in a home in South Morang in Melbourne’s northeast on Monday after her father and brothers were unable to contact her.

Her two brothers and father drove to the house after she failed to show up for a family barbecue the night before.

It is alleged that there they confronted 33-year-old suspect Joel Micallef, who had barricaded a door.

Ms Azzopardi’s older brother Shaun broke through the door and found her body.

Micallef, Ms Azzopardi’s boyfriend of two years, was arrested at the time and taken to hospital where he underwent medical examinations.

Police questioned Micallef and charged him Tuesday afternoon with one count of murder from his bed.

He was remanded in custody and will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Mrs Azzopardi was described by Shaun as a gentle soul who would help anyone.

“She will do anything for anyone… she didn’t see the bad in people and always saw the good,” Azzopardi said.

Joel Micallef (right) has been charged with murder following the discovery of the body of his girlfriend of two years (left)

Police hit Micallef with the charges after his arrest on Monday and hospital tests

Police are investigating the nature of the relationship and living arrangements of Micallef and Ms Azzopardi and the Reid Street residence was teeming with detectives on Tuesday.

Detectives were seen carrying items from the mansion, including a safe, as specialists tried to determine how and when the 35-year-old was killed.

Shaun Azzopardi arrived in the afternoon with family members to collect Ms Azzopardi’s car and belongings.

On Monday, Shaun Azzopardi told reporters that he had tried to contact his sister by phone.

Micallef allegedly told them that Mrs Azzopardi was not feeling well and was sleeping.

Mr Azzopardi drove his father and brother to the house to look for their sister, but said the doors were reportedly blocked by chairs.

‘He [allegedly] barricaded the doors with chairs, but I went upstairs and went through the door and just saw my sister. “I can’t get that image out of my head,” he said.

He said his sister was a “kind soul.”

“You think it won’t happen to you, your sister, your brother, but I’m not going to see my sister again.”

The last time he saw his sister alive was at his son’s 15th birthday, ten days earlier, which she arranged at a karting venue.

Investigators were seen carrying a safe from the home as detectives continued their work Tuesday

Detectives have been at the property for two days investigating Ms Azzopardi’s death

Shaun Azzopardi said his sister’s death ‘doesn’t feel real’ as he tries to stay strong for his distraught family

“In retrospect, if you knew this was the last time, you would do more, ask more and take more pictures,” he said.

“I don’t know my father’s condition, my mother’s condition, my brother’s condition – how do you get past this, how do you get through it?”

Mr Azzopardi said: ‘It doesn’t feel real. I’m trying to stay strong.”

On Monday, Victoria Police Acting Senior Sergeant Shaun O’Connell said the investigation into the living conditions of Ms Azzopardi and the suspects continued into the night.

“They have both spent time in this house, but investigations are still ongoing in relation to their living arrangements,” Sergeant O’Connell said.

Police Acting Sergeant Shaun O’Connell confirmed the suspect was not previously known to police

‘The exact nature of their relationship is still under investigation.

“What I can confirm is that the parties know each other and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.”

Police confirmed that Micallef was not previously known to them.

At least 70 Australian women and 14 children are reported to have been killed due to murder, manslaughter or neglect in 2024, according to the Red Heart Campaign, which tracks and commemorates deaths across the country.

According to crime statistics, police respond to reports of domestic violence in Victoria every five minutes – for a total of more than 98,000 incidents in the 12 months to June.

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