Woman followed off tram, sexually assaulted in Preston
Police are hunting for a man who sexually assaulted a woman on the same night and on the same tram line as the fatal attack on 21-year-old university student Aiia Maasarwe.
Investigators have been told the 20-year-old victim got off a route 86 tram on Plenty Road in Preston about 10.44pm on January 15.
Police say an unknown male also got off the tram and approached the woman on Bell Street, where he sexually assaulted her before leaving on foot.
The attack took place about two hours before Ms Maasawre was followed off the 86 route tram on the corner of Main Drive and Plenty Road in Bundoora, five kilometres further up the tram line from Preston.
She was followed as she got off the tram and stalked for 100 metres before she was fatally wounded some time after midnight.
CCTV images of the man wanted in relation to the Preston sexual assault have been released in an effort to identify him.
He is described as having an olive complexion, thin build, aged in his 20s, short black hair, 165cm tall and is pictured wearing black Adidas-branded shirt and pants.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppers.com.au