Family of Lena Zhang Harrap to celebrate 30th birthday, two years after her murder at Mt Albert

The family of Lena Zhang Harrap is having a public celebration for her 30th birthday, more than two years after she was murdered by a stranger.

Harrap, who had Down syndrome, was killed by homeless man Shamal Sharma in September 2021.

Sharma was arrested two days after a volunteer searcher discovered Harrap’s partially concealed body along a bush-lined walkway about a kilometre from her Mt Albert home.

Harrap had left her Mt Albert home where she lived with her family around 6.30 on the morning of her death for her daily solo walk through the neighborhood, an effort that was often slow going due to significant visual impairment.

Harrap’s mother recently posted on Facebook inviting members of the Mt Albert community to celebrate Harrap’s 30th birthday on November 8.

“We will begin at the bottom of Grande Ave and retrace Lena’s last steps.

“At the top of the walkway people are invited to pay tribute or leave messages in our remembrance box.”

Lena Zhang Harrap was killed by homeless man Shamal Sharma in September 2021.

Harrap’s life will then be celebrated with singing, dancing, and tributes at a nearby football field followed by watching the sunset.

In court, Harrap was remembered by her father as “a little warrior from the moment she was born” who was adopted as an infant and overcame heart surgery as a child. She had numerous disabilities that made her especially vulnerable, but she managed to thrive despite that and grew up to be loving, kind, thoughtful, and religious, family members said. She prided herself on the independence that came with her daily walks.

“She was caring. She was funny. She was clever,” Martin Harrap said.

“She was a beautiful dancer. She was a wonderful daughter.

“She was a good person. She had purpose in life. Lena wanted to do so much. Now all that is gone.”

Sharma was jailed for life, with a minimum non-parole period of 19 and a half years.