Meagher's death touches raw nerve: Faine

28 Sep 2012, 10:03 am   -   Source: AAP

Jill Meagher's death has left an empty space at the ABC but radio host Jon Faine says it must not change how Melburnians live.

An emotional ABC radio host Jon Faine has told listeners that the death of his Melbourne colleague Jill Meagher has touched a raw nerve.

"Its randomness is what is so incomprehensible about it," he said during his Friday morning program, at times holding back tears.

"There's a very empty space in our office this morning."

The Irish-born 29-year-old, who was a unit co-ordinator at ABC radio's Southbank studios, vanished on Saturday while walking home from drinks with work friends.

Police discovered her body in a shallow grave near the side of a remote road in Gisborne South, about 50km from Melbourne's CBD, in the early hours of Friday, six days after she was last seen alive.

Coburg man Adrian Ernest Bayley, 41, has been charged with her rape and murder.

"The ripples of Jill's abduction and, as we have now learned, allegations of rape and murder ... extend right throughout the community," Faine said.

"It has touched a very raw nerve right across the nation."

But Faine said Ms Meagher's death should not change how Melburnians live.

"Jill's death must not come to define us. That's not what it's like to live in the Melbourne I know.

"This is an exceptionally rare event."

Faine thanked radio listeners and the public for their messages of support since Ms Meagher was reported missing last Saturday.

"Thank you already for your many, many messages (of support) coming in by all forms of media this morning.

"Our thoughts go out this morning to (her husband) Tom Meagher, to Jill's parents, to all of her family and her friends."

ABC's Local Radio content manager Cath Hurley said Ms Meagher always remembered when it was someone's birthday.

"Jill was a positive life force," she told Faine on Friday.

"She was just a fabulous admin professional.

"She lit up a room."

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