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Murdered tot Sanaya Sahib, whose body was found in a park in Heidelberg West is being remembered by family and friends at a funeral.
THE father of murdered toddler Sanaya Sahib has been embraced by emotional family and friends around the hand made coffin holding the body of his little girl during an emotional farewell service in Melbourne this morning.
Sameer Sahib was surrounded by loved ones as a huge crowd filed into the memorial centre in Dandenong.
Hundreds of mourners filed into the traditionally Islamic ceremony for the 14-month-old who was killed and discovered in a creek after an extensive search.
Picture: Sarah MatraySource:News Corp Australia
Picture: Sarah MatraySource:News Corp Australia
Picture: Alex CoppelSource:News Corp Australia
Colourful helium balloons have been handed out ahead of the farewell for the little girl who’s body was discovered.
It was an emotional scene as strangers showed their support for the tragic toddler
Residents wrote messages of grief and love on their balloons before setting them free.
“RIP little angel, fly highâ€.
Sanaya' father Sameer Sahib with the coffin. Picture: Alex CoppelSource:News Corp Australia
Family and friends of murdered toddler Sanaya Sahib attend her funeral. Picture: Alex CoppelSource:News Corp Australia
Sanaya’s father grieves at his daughter’s funeral. Picture: Alex CoppelSource:News Corp Australia
Brother-in-law Jameel Ahmed said the support for the family had been overwhelming.
“It’s incredible to see just how many hearts our Sanaya has touched. It has been an incredible week. Almost surreal.’
“Sanaya bought so much joy to our family,’’ he said. “Sameer [her father] loves his little princess, will love and miss her every day of his life.
“The bond between a father and daughter is unbreakable ... We say goodbye Sanaya, you will be missed but you are now with Allah and his angels.’’
The young woman who found the body of the murdered toddler Sanaya Sahib led the emotional tributes.
Sanaya' father Sameer Sahib, left, carries the coffin. Picture: Alex CoppelSource:News Corp Australia
Sanaya' father Sameer Sahib, right, walks with the car. Picture: Alex CoppelSource:News Corp Australia
Rosalia Mason said her family wanted to help search for Sanaya after she was the subject of a missing persons search herself in 2014.
Ms Mason she never knew Sanaya, but her family felt they needed to help in the search and though heartbroken, were grateful to have found her.
“When we went to the north hand side of the creek and walked down a bit and yes we found her,’’ Ms Mason said.
“We made statements about what happened how we found her and what we saw and it will be forever be planted in our minds but we are glad we found her there ... you may rest in paradise forever.’
Sanaya’s father helped carry her coffin out after the service.