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A PROMISING Tasmanian model and university student fought to fend off her ex-boyfriend before he fatally stabbed her and took his own life in suburban Hobart.
Police believe Sammi Hewitt, 24, and Kuol Piom, 29, had been arguing over the weekend about the status of their long-term relationship.
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The disagreement turned violent when Ms Hewitt, who also used the surname Muirhead, visited Mr Piom at his University of Tasmania-owned rental property in Dynnyrne on Monday.
Ms Hewitt's concerned mother contacted Kingston police about 9.45pm when her daughter did not respond to phone calls.
About 11pm detectives found the pair's bodies at Mr Piom's decrepit weatherboard home in Baintree Ave in the inner-city Hobart suburb.
Hobart CIB detective Inspector Peter Powell said police found Mr Piom at the rear of the house, where he had committed suicide.
Officers then forced open the home's locked doors, including one with a make-shift external barricade.
Inside they found furniture in disarray and several items broken, suggesting that there had been a struggle.
Insp Powell said Ms Hewitt was found on the floor with several stab wounds to her abdomen and her hands, which indicated she had tried to defend herself.
"The female had suffered knife wounds to her body, around the torso and also a knife wound to the neck," he said.
"She also had what appeared to be defence wounds on her hands."
Hobart CIB detectives cordoned off surrounding streets and questioned neighbours and students staying at the adjacent Christ College campus.
A team of forensic officers examined the scene for several hours, bagging and labelling evidence including a knife which was found in the home's bathroom.
"Information we've gleaned today is that there had been some dispute between the male and female over the weekend," Insp Powell said.
"The mother of the deceased girl said she had lost contact with her about 11am yesterday and contacted local police.
"From there we went to the address and found the bodies."
He said police had eliminated the possibility of anyone else being involved.
"We are very satisfied from what we've seen today that what we're dealing with is a murder-suicide," Insp Powell said.
"Our pathologist attended the scene ... and there was nothing to suggest that there was any interference on the outside.
"We're quite satisfied we're dealing with a tragic one-off situation."
Mr Powell said the girl's mother, who she lived with in the Huon Valley, was struggling to come to terms with the situation.
UTAS Acting Vice-Chancellor David Rich said the university community was in shock and extended its condolences to the families.
He said counselling was being provided to students and staff at the campus.
"Our emphasis is on ensuring our students and staff have the support they need at this time," he said.
