'Our family will never be the same': Sister of 'beautiful' dentist mourns her death
The sister of Sydney dentist Preethi Reddy has spoken for the first time about the violent death of her "beautiful big sister", describing her as "a bright light" and "protective" of those close to her.
In a statement issued late on Wednesday night, Reddy's sister Nithya said "words cannot capture the pain we are feeling with the passing of my beautiful big sister".
"Preethi was a bright light; loveable, kind, and protective of all whom were lucky enough to have been loved and cared for by her," Nithya Reddy said. "Prior to this unthinkable event, she had been the happiest I'd ever seen her – she was living her best life."
Dr Reddy, 32, was found dead in a suitcase in her car on Tuesday night after being reported missing by her family on Sunday. She had been stabbed multiple times.
Her ex-boyfriend, Tamworth dentist Dr Harshwardhan Narde, died in a car crash near Tamworth on Monday night after he deliberately drove his car into the path of a truck.
"On behalf of my family, I want to thank anyone who shared our appeals to find her, and those who provided information to the police and us over the last few days," Nithya Reddy said.
"While we now know that Preethi is no longer with us, the certainty of her movements on Saturday night and Sunday morning are not yet fully known, and we will stay in touch with detectives as they work it all out."
Nithya Reddy said her family, particularly her parents and Preethi’s partner, were "going through the hardest thing that anyone can endure", and asked that their privacy be respected.
"We ask that everyone keep that in mind that we are grieving and we need space to do that," she said. "Finally, let the police do what they need to do to solve this horrific tragedy.
"Our family will never be the same without Preethi in our lives. Please let her beautiful soul Rest In Peace."
Dr Reddy had attended a dental conference in St Leonards on Friday, and was seen on CCTV footage in a McDonald's restaurant in the CBD in the early hours of Sunday morning.
She was last seen in the foyer of a hotel on Market Street shortly after, and last spoke to her family on the phone several hours after that.
After issuing an appeal for information as to her whereabouts on Tuesday evening, police found her Volkswagen parked in Strachan Street in Kingsford about 9.30pm, with her body in a suitcase inside the car.
It came as police sources confirmed her ex-partner, Dr Narde, had been captured on CCTV leaving a Sydney hotel in possession of a suitcase and in Dr Reddy's car, with Reddy nowhere to be seen.
Support is available for those who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 13 11 14; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; Domestic Violence Line 1800 65 64 63; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732