A car belonging to a woman whose body was found in South Melbourne on Monday has been located in the city's north-west as a nationwide manhunt continues for her boyfriend.
Homicide Squad detectives found the Mercedes-Benz belonging to Ellie Price in Diggers Rest, about 40 kilometres from her home, overnight.
Her boyfriend, Ricardo Barbaro, is wanted by police after Ms Price's body was found in her Park Street apartment on Monday afternoon.
Mr Barbaro, 33, is believed to be the son of Guiseppe Barbaro and the grandson of Pasquale Barbaro, who was murdered in 1990.
Police said Ms Price died in violent circumstances and was likely assaulted on Tuesday or Wednesday last week.
Mr Barbaro was not located with the vehicle in Diggers Rest and police warned his friends and family not to put themselves in "jeopardy" by harbouring the wanted man.
Detectives from the Homicide Squad, Fugitive Taskforce and other police units have been searching for Mr Barbaro for four days.
Police believe Mr Barbaro could be travelling in his white 2009 Toyota Hiace van with the registration 1OZ 8PC and have engaged police forces along the east coast of Australia to try to find him.
This morning Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said investigators wanted to question Mr Barbaro over an alleged history of violence within his relationship with Ms Price.
Mr Barbaro is about 185 centimetres tall with a solid build, black hair and olive complexion.
Detectives are calling on him to make contact with police.
They say anyone assisting Mr Barbaro could face criminal prosecution.
Anyone who sees Mr Barbaro is asked not to approach him and to call triple zero.
Anyone with information on Mr Barbaro's whereabouts or who has relevant CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
