Elise Hodder’s death: How she realized her dream just days before she was run over at a rave party

A young model has celebrated a six-page photo shoot she did for a prominent New York fashion magazine just a week before she was allegedly run over and killed.

Elise Hodder, 24, was with a group of friends at a rave at Sir Zelman Cowen Park in Kooyong, in Melbourne’s inner east, when she was allegedly hit by a reversing car at around 1.10am on Sunday.

It is alleged that Connor Matthiasson, 23, of Sunbury, tried to reverse out of the car park when he hit three pedestrians.

Mrs Hodder was trapped under the car and died at the scene.

Another pedestrian, aged 26, was rushed to Alfred Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery to reconstruct both ankles. The third pedestrian hit was unharmed.

Just a week ago, Hodder shared photos from a photo shoot he did for New York-based fashion publication Vanguard Magazine.

She appeared on six full pages of the magazine’s August issue, photographed by Jeremy Orr.

Orr was also hit by the car on Sunday morning but was not injured.

Elise Hodder, 24, was with a group of friends at a rave at Sir Zelman Cowen Park in Kooyong, inner Melbourne, when she was allegedly hit by a reversing car at around 1.10am on Sunday.

Connor Matthiasson (pictured) was charged with culpable driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, negligence causing serious injury and driving without a license

Matthiasson was later charged with culpable driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, negligence causing serious injury and driving without a license.

He was granted bail at his second court appearance on Tuesday.

He was allegedly driving without a valid license, which expired in July, and was subjected to a preliminary breathalyzer test that returned a positive result of 0.178 – more than three times the legal limit.

It is also alleged that Matthiasson had cannabis in his system.

In granting bail, Magistrate Donna Bakos said the young man’s father offered a guarantee of $100,000 and that police agreed the risks could be mitigated.

Under the conditions of his release, Matthiasson will lose his passport, be banned from driving and undergo treatment programs.

Ms Bakos said the police presented the case against Matthiasson was “strong, and upon conviction, the likely sentence is a long prison sentence”.

‘The applicant made the decision to drive to the rave party. He made the decision to drink and use drugs, and those decisions had consequences,” the police allege.

In their application, the police admitted that there were “tribal issues” in their case, namely that there were conflicting accounts from two passengers in Matthiasson’s car at the time of the incident.

Ms Bakos told the court that Matthiasson was allegedly leaving an illegal rave when he “accelerated heavily” while reversing his 2009 Holden Commodore.

“Due to the driving, the Holden struck a Haval SUV parked next to it (and) continued to travel in reverse and struck a pedestrian,” Ms Bakos said.

‘This person suffered minor injuries. Witnesses in the area then shouted to the applicant that he had run over a pedestrian.

Hodder just a week ago shared photos from a six-page editorial photo shoot she did with Vanguard Magazine

‘(Matthiasson) accelerated heavily, pushing the Holden forward (and) hit two more pedestrians before colliding again with the Haval.

‘The applicant (Matthiasson) has no relevant criminal record, no traffic offences, no unsightly bail history.

“He has a strong, supportive family he can live with and significant security is offered (as well as) bail conditions.”

Matthiasson’s high-profile criminal lawyer, George Balot, said his client wanted to convey his condolences to Hodder’s family.

‘He wishes to express his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and the pedestrian in the hospital. I have been instructed to convey to the family my deepest condolences during this difficult time,” Balot said.

‘My client is relieved to be released on bail and receiving the treatment he so desperately needs.’

On Monday, the 23-year-old’s father told Melbourne Magistrates Court he had no knowledge of his son’s alleged cannabis use, but said his mother’s suicide seven years ago had had a major impact on him. the then teenager.

“They were very close,” he told the court.

Outside court, the father told reporters he feels for Ms. Hodder’s family.

‘It’s devastating – absolutely devastating, I can’t, I really… and I don’t know what to say,’ he said.

Matthiasson’s lawyer, George Balot, added: “The family expresses its deepest condolences to this woman’s family and a speedy recovery to the other injured woman.”

Matthiasson admitted in court that he had not seen his son in person since Christmas, but agreed to supervise him 24/7 and would provide a $100,000 bond.

Meanwhile, tributes poured in for the young model and lifeguard.

It is understood she had just arrived at the rave when she was allegedly hit by the car.

Tributes poured in for the 24-year-old model and lifeguard

‘Simply – she was a beautiful, beautiful soul, with a radiance that touched everyone. His presence, respect for others and calmness is what the world was lucky to have,” his parents, Michael and Pauline, told the Herald Sun.

‘Our hearts are broken but dedicated to supporting the family and friends. Shattered, but his smile and heartbeat will always be with us.’

Hodder and Matthiasson are believed to have attended the rave but did not know each other.

Police were at the rave following noise complaints and witnessed the alleged incident.

Orr shared a heartfelt tribute to Ms Hodder, saying her death did not “feel real”.

‘In the short time I’ve known you, you’ve touched my heart and carry a heavy burden. You were truly the kindest, sweetest, loving, generous, friendly, caring, soft, strong and beautiful (inside and out),” the photographer wrote on Instagram.

‘I can’t believe it and would never have thought that I would be writing this and we are in so much pain thinking about you and the fact that we will never see your amazing smile and hear your laugh again.

‘This doesn’t feel real and I hope you know how much we all love you! You are genuinely a treasure – one of a kind.

“We will miss you so much, beautiful, we are broken.”

Hodder’s agency, FiveTwenty Model Management, described the 24-year-old as “a pleasure to work with”.

“She was very curious about the industry and gave it her all, always showing up with a bright, happy attitude,” the agency said in a statement.

‘It is with deep sadness that we receive this news. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

‘Your presence and place in our hearts will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, beautiful girl.

The court was told that Matthiasson had previously been charged with intentional damage but was convicted without conviction in October 2023.

He will return to court next year on February 17.