A 19-year-old man from Broadmeadows has been charged with the rape and murder of aspiring Melbourne comedian Eurydice Dixon, whose body was found on a soccer field in the city's inner north.
Ms Dixon was found by a passer-by on the field at the Princes Park sporting precinct between Royal Parade and Princes Park Drive in Princes Hill on Wednesday.
Paramedics were called to the scene but Ms Dixon could not be revived.
Jaymes Todd, 19, of Broadmeadows, was arrested on Wednesday night after he presented at a police station in Broadmeadows after police released images of a man they wished to speak to about Ms Dixon's death.
He appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday, and sat motionless and with his eyes closed throughout the hearing before Magistrate Andrew McKenna.
Victoria Police Leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall told the hearing Ms Dixon was killed sometime between 10:30pm on Tuesday and 3:00am on Wednesday.
Mr Todd did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody to reappear on October 3.
Tributes are flowing on social media for Ms Dixon, who performed in the free comedy showcase at Highlander Bar during this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Earlier on Thursday, Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper of the homicide squad urged anyone in the area between the hours of 11:00pm Tuesday and 3:00am Wednesday who saw anything suspicious to contact police.
"We're still at the start of an investigation, so if there are members of the public that do have information or footage from dashcams or from CCTV please call Crime Stoppers," he said.
More police have been put on patrol in the area, which is popular with runners, walkers and cyclists.
Detective Inspector Stamper said police were now satisfied the woman's death was not connected to the sexual assault of a 21-year-old woman in Parkville in the early hours of March 28.
"At this stage we're quite confident that the two matters are unrelated," he said.
"Which of course unfortunately leaves us with the prospect that there is an outstanding offender out there for that offence."
He also moved to re-assure the public after the woman's death.
"My message is that people need to be aware of their own personal security and just be mindful of their surroundings," he said.
"If people should have any concerns at any time about their personal security, call triple-0."
