Man Accused of Stabbing Woman to Death and Hiding Corpse in His Bathroom Before Throwing Her in the Ocean

A man in Australia has been accused of stabbing a woman to death and then dumping her body in the ocean.

The Western Australia Police Force confirmed to PEOPLE that the body of a woman was discovered in the water near Success Boat Harbour in South Fremantle, Perth, on Dec. 4, 2022. A member of the public found her body.

Although police did not release her name in their official timeline, 9 News reported that she was identified as 25-year-old Helen Jeremy Solomon Marsuk, from the suburb of Koongamia.

Authorities charged a man with one count of murder five days after her body was found.

The WA Supreme Court confirmed to PEOPLE that Muhammad Abdur Rehman Mirza is facing a murder charge connected to the alleged crime, which is believed to have taken place on Dec. 1, 2022 — three days before Marsuk’s body was discovered.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), a recreational fisherman found Marsuk’s body floating face down in the water. She had suffered 16 stab wounds.

In court, prosecutors said Mirza, 23, invited Marsuk to his home for sex in exchange for drugs. When first questioned, Mirza claimed a drug dealer had killed her and that he was also injured and threatened. However, he later told an undercover officer that he was responsible for the killing, which he described as self-defense.

The two had allegedly communicated on Telegram. Mirza claimed he had been supplying Marsuk, who was reportedly addicted to meth, with drugs. Prosecutors said Marsuk became angry when she realized he had none. Mirza claimed she armed herself with a knife.

Prosecutor Katrin Robinson argued that Mirza continued to stab Marsuk even though she was badly injured. Four of her wounds were described as potentially fatal. Robinson also said Mirza avoided calling an ambulance because he didn’t want the police involved.

Prosecutors further alleged that Mirza hid Marsuk’s body in his bathroom for several days before dumping it in the ocean. They said he even had a friend over to his apartment during that time, keeping the door to the room with the body locked.

Defense lawyer Simon Watters argued that his client only grabbed the knife after Marsuk became “aggressive and upset.” He said Mirza wasn’t aiming when he stabbed her.

The WA Supreme Court told PEOPLE that Mirza’s jury trial is scheduled to run until Sept. 19, 2025.