“Totally And Categorically Evil”: Eurydice Dixon’s Murderer Sentenced To Life In Prison
"Your motivation for that crime was a reflection of the darkest form of human thinking."
The man who raped and murdered 22-year-old Melbourne comedian Eurydice Dixon has been sentenced to life in prison, with a Supreme Court judge concluding that his actions were “totally and categorically evil”.
Content warning: discussion of violent sexual assault and murder.
In November 2018 then-19-year-old Jaymes Todd pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of Dixon, which occurred during the early hours of the morning as Dixon was walking home after a comedy performance in June 2018. Today Todd was sentenced to life in prison, with a fixed non-parole period of 35 years.
Over the course of Todd’s trial and sentencing, the court heard that he stalked Dixon for more than four kilometres, hiding behind objects to remain out of sight. Todd then attacked Dixon from behind as she walked through Princes Park. She had just texted her boyfriend to let him know she was almost home.
After murdering Dixon, Todd watched violent pornography and searched for news stories about the murder, before returning to Princes Park, where police turned him away from the crime scene. Todd later turned himself in after police released CCTV footage of him, though he initially denied involvement in the crime. He confessed to police after being interviewed for over an hour.
At a sentencing hearing today, Supreme Court Justice Kaye told Todd that he attacked Dixon “in a most callous and cowardly manner”. The court threw out a defence argument that Todd’s autism was a factor in the crime.
In custody, Todd was diagnosed with a sexual sadism disorder, and the court was told that he regularly fantasised about raping and murdering a woman prior to murdering Eurydice. “Your motivation for that crime was a reflection of the darkest form of human thinking,” Justice Kaye said while sentencing Todd today.
Justice Kaye tells Jaymes Todd he attacked Eurydice Dixon “in a most callous and cowardly manner” and “her last moments on this earth must’ve been utterly horrifying”. @newscomauHQ
— Rohan Smith (@Ro_Smith) September 2, 2019
Jaymes Todd, 20, is about to learn how many decades he will spend in prison for the rape and murder of Melbourne woman Eurydice Dixon. Justice Stephen Kaye earlier indicated he is seriously considering sentencing the young killer to life behind bars. Updates @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/z5xMl4zmee
— Genevieve Alison (@GenevieveAlison) September 1, 2019
Since Dixon’s death, thousands of people have attended several candle-lit vigils in her memory, which sparked a national conversation about violence against women. Eurydice’s family and boyfriend have expressed immense grief, giving tearful statements during Todd’s trial in which they described the way Dixon’s murder has destroyed their lives and left them with PTSD.
“I want to see her, hear her, be with her, have coffee with her, but because she was murdered I will never see her again,” Dixon’s sister Polly told the court in August.
“This has shattered and destroyed my family.”
Eurydice Dixon deserved to be remembered for how she lived her life, not how she lost it. She was denied this right. As were far too many others. pic.twitter.com/94qnM6aXxk
— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) June 18, 2018
Eurydice Dixon’s friends and family have remembered her as an incredible, kind and creative person, a talented comedian and a loving friend.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Men can access anonymous confidential telephone counselling to help to stop using violent and controlling behaviour through the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.