Revealed: Mother 'beheaded by her mentally unhinged daughter, 25,' had a special relationship with a long-time pen pal – as the woman reveals her last conversation with the accused killer
- Dutch pen pal of slain grandmother Rita Camilleri has revealed special bond
- Cassandra Hoogduin says she was regarded as long-distance daughter by Rita
- Rita, 57, was decapitated in the kitchen of her St Clair home on Saturday night
- Her daughter Jessica, 25, was charged with her murder and refused bail
- Ms Hoogduin says she often spoke to Jessica and last talked just days before
The heartbroken Dutch pen pal of slain grandmother Rita Camilleri has recalled the special bond they shared before she was allegedly beheaded and killed by her own daughter.
Cassandra Hoogduin says she was regarded as a long-distance daughter by Ms Camilleri, despite the pair never meeting.
Rita, 57, had been babysitting her four-year-old grandson before her decapitated body was found in the kitchen of her St Clair home in western Sydney on Saturday night.
The scene was described by police who attended as one of the most horrific they've ever encountered.
Cassandra Hoogduin says she was long-time pen pals with Rita Camilleri (pictured)
Rita's daughter Jessica Camilleri, 25, remains behind bars charged with her murder as she awaits for the results of a mental health assessment.
Ms Hoogduin has remembered Rita as a loving woman with a heart of gold.
The pair met online through an mutual American friend five years and quickly bonded over a love of dogs.
She also often spoke with Rita's daughter and has recalled their final conversation just two days before she allegedly killed her mother.
'My last conversation was with Jessica last Thursday and she told me that she liked orange and purple things. And she told me she couldn't wait for me to visit Sydney,' Ms Hoogduin told Seven News.
The Dutch pen pal also often spoke with Rita's daughter and accused killer Jessica (pictured)
She described Rita as sweet caring mother who did everything for her daughter and believed her love for Jessica was mutual.
Ms Hoogduin also found Jessica a 'really sweet girl' but had a feeling something else going on inside her.
'You noticed that she had mental illnesses but not that she was resentful or something like that,' Ms Hoogduin told Seven News.
She had this heartbreaking final message for Ms Camilleri.
'Your long-distance daughter will miss you very much.'
Rita Camilleri (pictured) regarded her pen pal Cassandra as a long-distance daughter
It was revealed this week Ms Camilleri's troubled daughter had a history of violent assaults.
Jessica had appeared before New South Wales local courts over the past five years for attacking people, including her aunt.
But she had been freed from custody every time after being assessed as mentally ill under Section 32 under the Mental Health Act, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Jessica Camilleri, 25, was charged with murder after allegedly beheading her mum Rita Camilleri, 57, on Saturday night
Ryan Park, opposition health spokesman, called for the laws to be overhauled.
'It's clear there's been a severe breakdown in the process that should have happened and it's important that an urgent review investigates what happened and ensures it doesn't happen again,' he said.
'That should include Section 32 of the Mental Health Act.'
NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman said the government was open to reviewing the laws and learning from cases that 'appear to go wrong'.
Jessica appeared in Parramatta Bail Court via videolink on Sunday but did not apply for bail.
She told the court she suffered from a number of conditions including border autism, bipolar disorder and anxiety.
'I really need medical attention. I told all the officers and told the police at the station,' she told the court on Sunday.
'I could not wash myself properly in the shower to get all the blood off because of my fingers.
'I cannot move my fingers properly because of the incident. I am not fit to come to jail until I get cleaned up.'
Following an overnight assessment in hospital, Jessica then appeared in Penrith Court on Monday, where bail was formally refused.
The horrific death of Rita Camilleri in her home has shocked the St Clair community
Jessica Camilleri (pictured) spoke with her mother Rita's overseas pen pal just two days before
The matter will next be heard in the same court on August 9, where it is believed an application will be made to undergo a forensic procedure.
The matter will next be heard on August 9 at the same court where an application will be made for a forensic procedure to be carried out.
It will then be brought back to the same court on September 20 for mention.
Forensic police spent Monday looking for evidence at Rita Camilleri's St Clair home
Detective Superintendent Brett McFadden on Sunday said the mother and daughter had been arguing before the dispute turned violent, with neighbours raising the alarm.
He said a number of knives were used in the alleged attack on the 57-year-old.
Ms Camilleri was babysitting her four-year-old grandson - the son of her other daughter - when she was allegedly attacked by Jessica.
The young boy sustained a minor head injury on Saturday night and was taken to Westmead Children's Hospital where he was treated, but had since been released.
Pictured: The kitchen where Ms Camilleri's dismembered and bloodied body was found. Ms Camilleri and her daughter Jessica lived together in the St Clair home
