Updated ,first published
A friend of Isla Bell says those who knew and loved the teen will never have closure after the man accused of killing her had the case against him dropped.
Marat Ganiev, 55, was accused of killing Bell in the early hours of October 7, 2024 at his St Kilda East apartment, before hiding her body in a fridge which was moved to different addresses across Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.
Her remains were eventually found at a rubbish tip in Dandenong six weeks later.
Ganiev was originally charged with murder, but that was downgraded to manslaughter as the case made its way through the Supreme Court of Victoria after issues were raised about Bell’s cause of death.
Prosecutor Jeremy McWilliams on Tuesday told the court the manslaughter charge against Ganiev had now also been withdrawn.
Ganiev will instead be charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Eyal Yaffe, 59, was also originally accused of assisting an offender and attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to Bell’s death. The court heard those charges will also be discontinued.
Close friend Isy, who asked for her surname not to be used, said she was shaking with rage that no one would ever be held to account over Bell’s death.
“I have absolutely no words,” she said in a statement. “What does this say to girls, young women, all women?
“We’re just disposable. I am so heartbroken.”
Isy said she was struggling to comprehend how the case could be dropped and the impact it would have.
“Her family and her community will never have closure.
“Darling friend Isla, you deserved justice. I’m so sorry. This should have never been the outcome.”
A spokeswoman for the Office of Public Prosecutions confirmed the charges had been withdrawn due to “insufficient evidence” to support the offences.
With AAP
Cassandra Morgan is the City team’s urban affairs writer at The Age. Contact her at [email protected]Connect via X or email.From our partners
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