Residents of a tiny beachside community in Far North Queensland are undergoing DNA testing as police fly in extra detectives in the hunt for the murderer of Toyah Cordingley.
The 24-year-old was found dead on remote Wangetti Beach, about 40km north of Cairns, on Monday after taking her dog for a walk the day before.
As police divers comb the waters around the beach and officers search nearby dense bushland for any sign of Ms Cordingley’s possession, officers have also began taking DNA swabs from locals and itinerant campers living on the beach.
A police spokesman told the ABC testing was "standard procedure".
Extra detectives, including officers from Queensland’s State Crime Command, are also being flown into Cairns as the hunt for Ms Cordingley's killer intensifies.
A friend of Ms Cordingley, Megan Amour, published a tribute to her friend along with a Youtube video compilation of images of her and the 24-year-old.
"I can't believe this, I refuse to believe this," Ms Amour wrote.
"I wanted to be the gypsy soul you were. I wanted to be flawless and not just the beauty you had on the outside but the beauty you had on the inside."
A family friend also used social media to describe the heartbreak of the discovery of Ms Cordingley's body.
"That morning Kieran rang me his heart was broken because you were missing," Les Ley wrote on Facebook.
"Then Kieran rang me back to say you were gone oh god I never cried so much when I heard what he told me and Kieran's heart was shattered to pieces that his little sister was gone."
The 24-year-old, who was well known for her work with unwanted animals in the Cairns region, was found dead with visible and violent injuries and police are urging anyone with any information to come forward.
Police have fielded more than 160 Crime Stoppers calls and have asked anyone who spotted Ms Cordingley at Rusty’s Market in central Cairns on Sunday, October 21 between midday and 1pm to come forward.
They are also seeking dashcam footage from the Captain Cook Highway at Wangetti Beach on Sunday, October 21 as part of the investigation.
Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu issued a statement on Wednesday calling for public help to solve the crime.
"This is a disgusting, horrific and fatal act of violence against a young woman who was enjoying what so many people do on a daily basis - walk along our beautiful beaches," Ms Leu said.
"It is extremely chilling to think a murderer is out there."
Ms Leu said she wants anyone with information to contact police immediately.
Anyone with further information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
