Two people have been charged over the death a woman whose body was found dumped by the side of a road.
Tamara Farrell, 31, vanished from Ballarat at 6.30am on Sunday – just a few weeks after she moved into a home in the Victorian city, according to locals.
Remains believed to be Ms Farrell’s were discovered about 300km away in Nambrok, near Sale, on Monday.
Childhood friend, Shaye Kotiau, 22, from Melbourne, was arrested and charged with her murder later that day.
Ms Farrell worked as an airport shuttle driver at Ballarat Coachlines, which paid tribute to the ‘valued colleague and friend’.
Tamara Farrell (pictured), 31, vanished from her home in Ballarat at about 6.30am Sunday
Remains believed to belong to Ms Farrell were discovered about 300km away in Nambrok, near Sale, on Monday
‘We are shocked and devastated by the reports of our employee Tamara Farrell’s death,’ the company posted on Tuesday night.
‘We wish to express our deepest sympathies to her mother, family and friends. Tamara was an excellent employee who was always friendly and hard working.
‘We are all in shock and grief at losing a valued colleague and friend… May she rest in peace.’
Ms Farrell’s colleagues said she would be dearly missed.
Colleagues of Ms Farrell took to social media on Tuesday to say she would be dearly missed
Ms Farrell and her alleged killer are understood to have known each other since childhood
‘Your bubbly personality and ”give it a go” attitude will always be remembered. Fly high Tam,’ one said.
‘Tamara, the shock and grief of your very untimely death is devastating for us all, our love and support to your mum and family,’ another wrote.
Mr Kotiau, from Altona in Melbourne’s west, didn’t appear in court on Tuesday, with his lawyer saying he is ‘very mentally unwell’ and not coping with being in custody.
He and Ms Farrell are understood to have known each other since childhood.
Mr Kotiau was arrested along with a 19-year-old woman, who was on Wednesday charged with accessory to murder.
Ms Farrell was a much loved employee at Ballarat Coachlines, which paid tribute to the ‘valued colleague and friend’ in the wake of her death
Ms Farrell was last seen in her home in the Ballarat suburb of Canadian early on Sunday, but neighbours reported hearing screams later in the evening.
‘It’s terrible. Someone has lost their life. It’s heartbreaking. We live in a beautiful street with lovely people. We don’t have trouble,’ one neighbour told The Age.
Posts to Ms Farrell’s Facebook account show she was deeply passionate about ending violence against women.
She regularly shared posts from women’s rights groups, and at the start of February reflected that four women had already died at the hands of men.
Shaye Kotiau was charged with murdering Tamara Farrell on Monday night after police found a body near a property Nambrok, near Sale in regional Victoria
‘Already there’s been four women killed,’ she wrote, adding a sad emoji.
‘And we’re only a month into the new year.’
After Aiia Maasarwe’s death, Ms Farrell posted: ‘Yet again’, adding a crying emoji.
Mr Kotiau and the 19-year-old woman are due to front court on Wednesday.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Mr Kotiau was arrested along with a 19-year-old woman, who was on Wednesday charged with accessory to murder
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