Homeless woman, 25, whose body was found near tennis courts is identified

The body of a homeless woman who was found murdered in a Melbourne park has been identified – as the search for her killer enters its second day.

Dog walkers made the horrendous discovery at Melbourne’s Royal Park on Saturday morning, but the cause of death remains a mystery.

The woman has been identified as 25-year-old Courtney Herron, who has no fixed residence. 

Police believe she was assaulted at the scene overnight, between Friday and 9.25am Saturday morning. 

The woman’s body was discovered near a group of logs under a tree in the 180 hectare park, where a heartbreaking letter was left on Sunday morning. 

The body of a homless woman who was found murdered in a Melbourne park has been identified as 25-year-old Courtney Herron

Police believe Ms Herron was assaulted at the scene overnight, between Friday and 9.25am Saturday morning

Police believe Ms Herron was assaulted at the scene overnight, between Friday and 9.25am Saturday morning

A man was seen visiting the spot where her body was found and leaving a bouquet of flowers along with the touching note

A man was seen visiting the spot where her body was found and leaving a bouquet of flowers along with the touching note

A man was seen visiting the spot where her body was found and leaving a bouquet of flowers along with the touching note. 

‘You deserve so much better,’ the note read. 

‘May you rest in everlasting peace.’

According to the Herald Sun, the man, who preferred not to be identified, said he was mortified over the the death and believes everyone should bring flowers. 

Investigators are still working to piece together Ms Herron’s movements and lead them to her killer, who remains on the run.  

The last confirmed sighting of Ms Herron was on May 14 in St Albans, in New South Wales. 

Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said detectives and forensic scientists worked through the night and are appealing for public assistance.

Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the area at the time and may have seen anything suspicious.

A man was seen visiting the spot where her body was found and leaving a bouquet of flowers along with the touching note

A man was seen visiting the spot where her body was found and leaving a bouquet of flowers along with the touching note

The body of the woman is removed from the scene in Royal Park, Melbourne, on Saturday

The body of the woman is removed from the scene in Royal Park, Melbourne, on Saturday

‘We are committed to finding the person, or people, responsible for this horrific attack,’ Detective Insp Stamper said.

‘We are appealing for the community’s help and remind them that no piece of information is too big or too small.’ 

‘We know a number of people use this park and urge anyone with information or who may have seen anything suspicious to come forward.’  

Royal Park was reopened on Sunday morning after it was closed on Saturday following the grim discovery.

A heightened police presence remain at the park, patrolling the area to ensure the public feel safe. 

The cause of death of the victim hasn't been determined yet, as forensic teams, police and the SES comb the Royal Park for evidence

The cause of death of the victim hasn’t been determined yet, as forensic teams, police and the SES comb the Royal Park for evidence 

A number of police vehicles are in the park and have cordoned off a large area between the North Park Tennis Club and the Flemington Road Cricket Oval

 A number of police vehicles are in the park and have cordoned off a large area between the North Park Tennis Club and the Flemington Road Cricket Oval 

The death comes less than a year after another woman was found dead in Melbourne.

Eurydice Dixon’s body was discovered in Princes Park in Carlton North in June last year, just a few kilometres away from today’s grisly discovery. 

The 22-year-old was raped and murdered while walking home from the city at night.

‘It’s the death of a woman sadly again in our city,’ Detective Insp Stamper told reporters. 

‘We get impacted as much as anyone else in the community.’  

Det-Insp Stamper said that homeless people regularly sleep rough in the Royal Park.  

The woman's body was discovered near the North Park Tennis Club in Parkville in Melbourne's north on Saturday morning

The woman’s body was discovered near the North Park Tennis Club in Parkville in Melbourne’s north on Saturday morning

The woman's death comes less than a year after 22-year-old Eurydice Dixon's body was found in Princes Park in Carlton North in June last year - just a few kilometres away

 The woman’s death comes less than a year after 22-year-old Eurydice Dixon’s body was found in Princes Park in Carlton North in June last year – just a few kilometres away

‘This is a horrendous crime, as all murders are. Our focus will be on catching the perpetrator of this horrendous crime,’ Det-Insp Stamper said.

‘We’ve been working very hard since then to get some answers from the crime scene.’ 

At around 1pm Saturday a police helicopter circled the scene more than 10 times, while officers on bicycles rode around the area speaking to locals.  

Officers cordoned off a large area between the North Park Tennis Club and the Flemington Road Cricket Oval.

Forensic investigators in face masks and gloves examined the area inside the police tape – which is surrounded by thick bushes and trees.  

North Park Tennis Club head coach Gabriel Moise, said it was ‘pretty scary’ to have a woman’s body discovered nearby.  

‘It’s very bad … it’s pretty confronting,’ he told the ABC.  

Homicide detective Andrew Stamper (left) told reporters the woman's death is being treated as suspicious, and is appealing for anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers

Homicide detective Andrew Stamper (left) told reporters the woman’s death is being treated as suspicious, and is appealing for anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers 

Officers have cordoned off a large area between the North Park Tennis Club and the Flemington Road Cricket Oval

Officers have cordoned off a large area between the North Park Tennis Club and the Flemington Road Cricket Oval

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk