The bashing death of homeless woman Courtney Herron in suburban Melbourne has prompted a commitment from Canberra to do more to protect women's safety.
The 25-year-old was allegedly killed by a man with a history of mental health issues, a magistrate was told on Monday, two days after her death.
Ms Herron's distraught mother was among family and friends who paid a tearful visit to Royal Park in inner-suburban Parkville where her battered body was found by dog walkers, a short distance from where 22-year-old Eurydice Dixon was raped and murdered last year.
Homeless man Henry Richard Hammond, 27, faced court on Monday charged with Ms Herron's murder, smiling at times and appearing to have a bruised face.
His lawyer outlined a history of mental health issues and outside court pointed to "a very tragic and complex situation," but gave no insight into the events leading up to Ms Herron's death.
She was also suffering mental health and drug issues, but it is not known if they knew each other.
Ms Herron had not been seen since May 14 when she came into contact with police at St Albans.
Police would not give details of their interaction.
The latest crime prompted a promise from federal Minister for Women Marise Payne to do more to protect women.
"We have been only too tragically reminded in the last couple of days, again in Melbourne with the appalling murder of Courtney Herron, that the safety of women is something that must concern us all," she told ABC radio.
Police said Ms Herron suffered extreme violence.
"This was a particularly horrendous attack," Homicide squad Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said.
Ms Herron had been couch surfing and sleeping rough for some time while struggling with drug and mental health issues.
Insp Stamper said while she had been in sporadic contact with her family there were "a lot of people out there who knew and loved Courtney".
Homeless women are particularly vulnerable to violence, Victoria's Council to Homeless Persons CEO Jenny Smith said.
"Too often there just isn't a safe option for homeless women, leaving them vulnerable to the risks of sleeping rough, or of staying in unsafe housing options like rooming houses, where they are vulnerable to physical and sexual assault," she said.
Ms Smith welcomed housing funding from the Victorian government but said more was needed, including from Canberra.
"We can protect women like Courtney, but as a society have to choose to do it," she added.
The sister of Ms Herron's ex-boyfriend encouraged people to attend Friday's vigil at Royal Park.
"Can any of my sister girls or bruthas be in attendance with possum skins, didgeridoo players and a smoking ceremony fire pit?" the woman posted on her Facebook account.
"Courtney is not indigenous, although she spent many years with my brother and within our ... Koorie community.
"I want to pay my respects and show her that our mob, our families, our communities cared for her, we feel sadness and sorrow at her passing and we want to set her spirit free."
Ms Dixon was raped and murdered at Carlton North's Princes Park on June 12 last year, while Aiia Maasarwe, 21, died after being attacked walking home near La Trobe University on January 15.
Both were attacked by men they did not know and who have since been charged.
Last month, Natalina Angok's body was found dumped in Melbourne's Chinatown, allegedly killed by her one-time partner Christopher Allen who has been charged.
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