The scene in Sydney’s eastern suburbs where beloved teenager Yolonda Mumbulla died this week is largely deserted.
There were no floral tributes, cards or teddy bears left outside the apartment block in North Bondi, where the 19-year-old mother was found unresponsive, when news.com.au visited on Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to a fourth-floor unit shortly after 9am on Tuesday. Ms Mumbulla was declared dead at the scene.
There was little evidence remaining of the tragedy at the scene on Wednesday.
If not for the small remnants of police tape on a few handrails and poles, you could have been forgiven for not realising anything had happened there at all.
The door through which detectives were seen going in and out earlier in the week was boarded up.
The call to emergency services on Tuesday came from Ms Mumbulla’s partner, Aaron Carey.
Mr Carey has not been accused of involvement in Ms Mumbulla’s death. He was later charged with unrelated theft offences.
Police are investigating misadventure as a possible cause of death. News.com.au understands a fatal drug overdose is one line of inquiry.
Heartbroken family speaks out
Derek Mumbulla, Yolonda’s father, told 7News he had spoken to her last week.
“I spoke to her just last week, we sat down and talked, we had a nice chat, then she didn’t come back home,” Mr Mumbulla said.
“My daughter. My youngest daughter. She is gone. I can’t say hello or goodbye. She’s just gone.”
He demanded accountability for his daughter’s death.
“Somebody hurt her,” Mr Mumbulla claimed.
“All these people are getting hurt for no reason. Mothers, wives and my daughter. Enough is enough, it’s got to stop.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family give Ms Mumbulla “the send-off she deserves”. It aims to raise $10,000.
“With such sad and sudden news, we ask for your help in giving her a beautiful send-off,” the fundraising page says.
“Yolonda always had such an uplifting spirit, she was funny, full of joy and she was always there to help anyone.
“Please let’s work together to help her on her final journey to lay her to rest.”
Officers search apartment
Police searched the Bondi unit after Ms Mumbulla’s death and allegedly found one gram of methylamphetamine and cannabis.
Mr Carey has been charged with the outstanding warrant for larceny value less than or equal to $2000, three counts of enter vehicle or boat without consent of owner/occupier, destroy or damage property less than or equal to $2000, hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty, and goods suspected stolen in/on premises.
A 34-year-old man, who is yet to be identified, has also been charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug and granted bail to appear before court on June 18.
Neither Mr Carey’s charges or those laid against the 34 year old man have any connection to Ms Mumbulla’s death.
A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine Ms Mumbulla’s cause of death and a report will be prepared for coroner.
Investigations under Strike Force Eacham continue.