Elizabeth Kalash, a 2024 Miss Universe Australia finalist, stepped into a real-life emergency on Dec. 2 when she rushed to defend her father during an attempted carjacking outside their home in Coburg, a suburb of Melbourne. The confrontation left her 60-year-old father injured and the family shaken, and it prompted a police search for three suspects who remain at large, according to the Daily Mail.
The incident has drawn national attention for both its violence and Kalash’s decisive response. What began as an ordinary afternoon quickly turned into a frightening encounter that highlighted growing concerns about suburban street crime in Victoria.
Confrontation Turns Violent
According to People, the attempted carjacking occurred shortly after 12:20 p.m. when a man was seen inside the family’s grey Hyundai, which was parked outside their house. When her father, Amir Kalash, approached the man, the suspect assaulted him and pushed him to the ground. Police said the attackers then attempted to flee in a silver Lexus with the license plate “SAMWAN.”
The Daily Mail reported that as the Lexus peeled away, it ran over Amir’s foot, resulting in what police described as a significant injury. He was later hospitalized.
People reported that she heard yelling outside and ran from her home office to help. She said she saw her father being shoved and thrown to the ground, and her reaction was immediate. She shouted at the group and moved toward them in an effort to protect him. The confrontation startled the trio, who briefly drove off before returning to collect items they had dropped on the road, according to the reports.
Family Recovering While Police Search for Suspects
AOL reported that the suspects include two men and one woman, all estimated to be between 35 and 40 years old. One man was described as Middle Eastern, while the second man and the woman were described as Aboriginal. Police said the group fled in the Lexus, which investigators later determined had been stolen.
Amir has been released from the hospital, but Elizabeth said the emotional impact of the attack remains. She said she no longer feels safe in her neighborhood and fears the suspects are still out there.
Victoria Police called the attack “brazen” in a public appeal for witnesses.
Courage in a Moment of Fear
Kalash, known publicly for her pageant appearances and modeling work, said she did not think twice about intervening. She told the Herald Sun that her actions came from instinct and from her desire to protect her father.
“I am proud I was able to help him,” she said, adding that she acted on adrenaline and fear.
The search for the suspects continues. Police have asked anyone with information or CCTV footage from the area to contact Crime Stoppers.
