On October 2024, 35-year-old Nikkita Azzopardi failed to attend a family gathering in Melbourne, an absence so out of character it immediately raised alarm. Within hours, her brothers Darren and Sean would force their way into her home and make a discovery that would change their lives forever.

Nikkita had been brutally killed by her partner, Joel Micallef. Charged with murder, Micallef was later found not guilty due to mental impairment, after forensic psychiatrists told the Supreme Court of Victoria he was suffering acute psychosis at the time of the killing.

In this episode, Nikkita’s brothers speak publicly about the moments leading up to her death, the harrowing scene they encountered, and the legal process that followed. They share their frustration with a system they believe failed their sister, and explain why they are now calling for urgent reform of Victoria’s mental impairment laws.

Follow us on Tiktok @DailyMailCrime

Email us [email protected]

Whatsapp us +447796657512 (start your message with ‘Trial’)

Presenter: Wayne Flower 

Producer: Sam Morris

Creative Director: Caroline Cheetham

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

Follow us on instagram @thetrialpod

Email us [email protected]

Whatsapp us +447796657512 (start your message with ‘Trial’) 

For ad-free listening to all of our shows, exclusive bonus episodes and complete access to our archives, subscribe to The Crime Desk now. Visit thecrimedesk.com .

Seriously Popular.

Click here to sign up to The Crime Desk's weekly newsletter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.