'She was a kind soul': Heartbroken brother of woman found dead in a popular children's park pays tribute to the artist who 'strayed away'

  • Ioli Hadjilyra's brother has remembered her as a 'kind soul' who 'strayed away'
  • He said he is devastated she died so far from her siblings who all live in Cyprus
  • The 26-year-old artist's death is now being treated as a homicide by police 
  • She was found semi-naked with suspicious bruising and bleeding on her body 

The brother of the woman found dead under suspicious circumstances in Brisbane's Kalinga Park has spoken out on her 'devastating' death.

The body of 26-year-old Ioli Hadjilyra was found by council workers in a garden under a railway overpass in a Brisbane park at about midday on Wednesday.   

Ms Hadjilyra's older brother Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra said he is heartbroken his sister died so far away from her two brothers and sister who all live in Cyprus.  

'If I had the chance to tell her, I would tell her what I always tell her, and that is to take care of your life,' he told the Brisbane Times.

'She was a kind soul, it is just that she strayed away.'

Ioli Hadjilyra (pictured), 26, was found dead by council workers in Brisbane's Kalinga Park in a garden under a railway overpass at about midday on Wednesday

 Ioli Hadjilyra (pictured), 26, was found dead by council workers in Brisbane's Kalinga Park in a garden under a railway overpass at about midday on Wednesday

Mr Hadjilyra said his father - who lives in Brisbane - called him on Thursday and told him that police broke the news to him at around midnight.

'My father told me not to say anything to [my other siblings], he said, 'don't tell anyone'. I was the first he called because I am the oldest but by now I am sure they know,' he said.   

Mr Hadjilyra lost contact with Ioli in 2016 when she moved back to Brisbane with her father.

The last time the siblings spoke was around a week ago, when Ms Hadjilyra told her brother she wanted to leave Australia and move back to Cyprus.  

Mr Hadjilyra said he wanted to remember his sister for her 'kind soul' and not focus on the 'negative points' of her life. 

She was found with no wallet, ID or phone and 'it appears some of her clothing, her garments, have been interfered with and removed'

She was found with no wallet, ID or phone and 'it appears some of her clothing, her garments, have been interfered with and removed' 

An insider told Daily Mail Australia police are treating the death as a murder investigation

An insider told Daily Mail Australia police are treating the death as a murder investigation 

A source told Daily Mail Australia on Friday that police are treating the death as a murder investigation.

An official statement is expected some time on Friday.

The last time Ms Hadjilyra spoke to her brother was around a week ago when said she wanted to leave Australia and move back to Cyprus

The last time Ms Hadjilyra spoke to her brother was around a week ago when said she wanted to leave Australia and move back to Cyprus

Ms Hadjilyra has been remembered as a talented sketch artist and loving sister to her three siblings, all of which currently live in their hometown of Cyprus, in Greece. 

Detective Inspector Tim Trezise said it appeared attempts had been made to disguise her body in the bushes. 

She was found with no wallet, ID or phone and 'it appears some of her clothing, her garments, have been interfered with and removed'. 

Detectives are yet to reveal the results of an autopsy, and said it was too early to determine whether she had been sexually assaulted. 

They're also still unsure what Ms Hadjilyra was doing in the park on Wednesday, and believe she may have been there overnight before her body was eventually discovered. 

A series of her sketches were found scattered near her body. 

Police are still assessing whether they believe she had been working on the pieces in the moments leading up to her death or whether they had been dropped after the fact. 

The Australian-Cypriot dual citizen was described as a 'popular young lady' by Inspector Trezise. 

Police are seen searching at the place where the 26-year-old's body was found on Wednesday

Police are seen searching at the place where the 26-year-old's body was found on Wednesday

 

 

 

 

 

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Brother of Ioli Hadjilyra who was found dead in Brisbane park pays tribute to the 'popular artist'

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