A man has appeared in court charged with the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl during a party at her Victorian home.
Mildura man Bowe Maddigan, 29, appeared before Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Thursday.
He has been charged with murder, sexual penetration of a child under 16, and an indecent act on a child under 16.
Zoe Buttigieg's body was found by her mother in the family's Inchbold Street, Wangaratta, home on Sunday morning.
Maddigan was charged over her death on Wednesday evening.
On Thursday he was remanded in custody to return to court on February 11.
The accused murderer was arrested on Sunday after being found walking barefoot along the Hume Freeway - about 10 kilometres from Zoe's house - hours before the girl's body was found.
Neighbours and friends gathered outside Zoe's house for a candlelight vigil on Monday, and on Wednesday her family released a statement thanking police and the community for their support.
"We are overwhelmed by the community support and would like to say a huge thank you to those who organised and attended the candlelight vigil at the park that Zoe always enjoyed playing at."
Zoe's mother thanked "all who have stood by her".
The family have also asked for privacy ahead of the little girl's funeral.
The Wangaratta Turf Club is hosting a fundraiser on November 20, with all money raised to go towards the memory of Zoe's life.
