Tributes have been paid after a young woman was allegedly murdered by a co-worker at the Canberra Zoo.
Tshewang Choden, 29, was found dead with serious stab wounds in the kitchen storeroom of the National Zoo and Aquarium at Yarralumla on Monday afternoon.
Her 29-year-old co-worker at the Jamala Wildlife Lodge, Jude Wijesinghe, has been charged with her murder.
He pleaded not guilty during a bedside hearing on Tuesday.
The Australian Bhutanese Association shared their heartbreak over Ms Choden’s death, remembering her as a “young, vibrant” member of the Bhutanese community in Australia.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the tragic and untimely passing of Ms. Tshewang Choden, a young, vibrant and beloved member of our community,” a Facebook post shared on Thursday said.
“The bereaved family along with our community is in deep shock and mourning.
“As a close-knit community, the Australia Bhutanese Association of Canberra and the entire Bhutanese community across Australia stand united in solidarity with the bereaved family.”
The community group are raising funds to assist Ms Choden’s family who live overseas in Bhutan and have been forced to grieve her sudden death from afar.
“As a token of our support and solidarity, ABAC would like to initiate a Semso – meaning consolation – drive so that we can mobilise funds to support the family during this difficult period.
“Therefore, ABAC encourages our community members to contribute any amount possible to the following account as Semso.”
The fundraising drive will remain open for two weeks until January 5.
The Bhutan Embassy in Canberra confirmed Ms Choden’s family had been contacted and provided with support, in a statement shared on Tuesday.
“The Embassy is in close contact with the bereaved family of the deceased as well as the Police and providing consular support,” the Embassy said in a statement.
“The close-knit Bhutanese community in Canberra is deeply affected by this tragic incident involving a member of our community and is rallying around the bereaved family during this very difficult period.”
They asked on behalf of the family to “allow them space to grieve this extremely tragic and sad loss.”
A spokesperson for the zoo described the incident as a “tragic” and “incredibly sad” event.
“Due to the incredibly sad events, both the zoo and Jamala will be closed tomorrow in respect of all those affected directly or indirectly,” the statement posted to Facebook said.
“Tours and encounters will be cancelled for the day and we hope that we will be ready to resume operations on Wednesday.
“We request that visitors and guests recognise the significant trauma that staff have experienced and that they respect their need for privacy on this matter.”
They offered their thoughts to the staff and their families and have offered trauma counselling to this impacted by the incident.
Mr Wijesinghe will return to court in April next year.