Grandmother allegedly stabbed 19 times in Bondi Beach unit remembered as ‘nice, quiet woman’

A 90-year-old grandmother allegedly stabbed 19 times inside her Bondi Beach home has been remembered as a gentle woman dedicated to her Jewish faith.

Valentina Spivak was found with stab wounds to her throat and torso at her unit on Chambers Ave about 5.15pm on Saturday.

Her grandson, 47-year-old Sergei Mitnik, was arrested at the home and charged with domestic violence-related murder.

Facing court on Sunday, Mitnik’s lawyer raised concerns about his mental health and told the court the weight-loss drug Ozempic had had an effect on him.

The court heard Mitnik had been taking the medication weekly for more than two months and had cancelled an appointment with a psychologist last month.

His lawyer sought to have Mitnik transferred to a mental health facility for an early assessment.

Police opposed the transfer but did not object to him being assessed by a psychologist.

Detective Superintendent Jodi Radmore said there was no known history of domestic violence between Mitnik and his grandmother, although he had a domestic violence history involving another person.

Caroline Engesser said she would hear Spivak listening to old Russian opera from the hallway.

Engesser said Spivak was cared for by her daughter and she rarely saw any male visitors at the unit.

Another neighbour, George Clifton, described Spivak as a “nice, quiet woman”.

Police seized a number of items from the scene for further examination as investigations continue.

Radmore described the alleged killing as devastating for both Spivak’s family and the wider community.

“One alleged murder is too many … we just have to work together to do better,” she said.