Eurydice Dixon: Outpouring of grief after Australian comedian is 'raped and murdered' walking home from gig

Teenager arrested and charged after discovery of body

Eurydice Dixon's body was discovered in a park near her home (Facebook)

A young comedian was raped and murdered as she walked home from a gig in Melbourne this week, causing an outpouring of grief from friends and peers.

The body of Australian comic Eurydice Dixon, 22, was discovered at a football field early on Wednesday morning.

She had performed a gig hours earlier at a bar in the city.

Police have charged 19-year-old Jaymes Todd from Broadmeadows, a Melbourne suburb, on suspicion of one count of rape and one count of murder.

A friend of Ms Dixon revealed the final message she sent to him minutes before being attacked.

Tony Magnuson told The Age he received a message from Ms Dixon shortly after midnight, which read: "I'm almost home safe, HBU [how about you]?"

Fans and members of Melbourne's comedy community shared their grief at Ms Dixon's death on Twitter.

Julia Morris wrote: "I am absolutely shattered to hear of the despicable death of Eurydice Dixon. Our comedy community is like a family and this news is beyond heart breaking.

"My deepest condolences go to her family and friends. An important and funny voice has been extinguished."

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Ms Dixon's family, which hsa so far raised nearly 50,000 Australian dollars (£28,000).

The creator of the page, Luka Muller, said he was contacted by Ms Dixon's father to say a large portion of the donations will be given to charities his daughter supported.

John Riodan, a lawyer from Victoria Legal Aid, argued Mr Todd should not have been identified as it could put him at risk while in custody.

He pointed out that this was Mr Todd's first time being held by police and that he had been diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum.