Family, friends and strangers have gathered to remember homeless Melbourne woman Courtney Herron, almost a week after her death.
Courtney Herron's devastated mother looked to the sky pleading "be happy baby", as hundreds of mourners gathered in a Melbourne park where the homeless 25-year-old was found dead.
Mourners gather to remember Courtney Herron. Source: AAP
Maxi Herron said her daughter was holding back the rain, after what had been a grey and wet Friday across the city.
Ms Herron thanked those gathered for their outpouring of love.
"This outpouring of love is unexpected. My baby in life thought people didn't care, and that people were staring at her. But she is in heaven watching down, saying 'I am loved'."
As she stopped speaking, rain poured down.
The family of Courtney Herron have gathered at a vigil for her laying flowers and candles @SBSNews pic.twitter.com/PwLM0DmPg3 — Gloria Kalache. (@gloriakalache) May 31, 2019
Family and friends have gathered ahead a vigil for Courtney Herron in Parkville @SBSNews pic.twitter.com/bSzK3ETODC — Gloria Kalache. (@gloriakalache) May 31, 2019
Grandmother Connie kissed a photo of Courtney earlier at the makeshift memorial in Royal Park where dog walkers found her body last Saturday morning.
Ms Herron is the fourth young woman to be killed in a public Melbourne place in the past 12 months, including the June rape and murder of aspiring comedian Eurydice Dixon, 22, in a neighbouring suburb.
Vigil co-organiser Jessamy Gleeson said many women felt unsafe and called for political action to stop the deaths.
"It's not that Melbourne has a problem, it's that Australia has a problem and a lot of places have a problem," she told reporters.
"The message I want politicians to hear is that we are tired of doing these vigils and there needs to be a big structural change in how we address violence against women.
"(Courtney) was a young women who was just going about her business in Melbourne and there was absolutely no reason for her life be taken."
Ms Herron's death sparked widespread calls for action.
"The safety of women is something that must concern us all," federal Minister for Women Marise Payne said, noting Ms Herron's death.
Homeless man Henry Richard Hammond, 27, has been charged with Ms Herron's murder.
He has faced court and remains in custody.
Ms Herron's death triggered an outpouring of grief across the nation, with many calling for more to be done to stop violence against women.
Police have said the crime showed attitudes toward women need to change in Australia, in the wake of the incident
"What is it in our community that allows some men to think that it's still OK to attack women or take from women what they want?" Victorian police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said on Saturday.
"Violence against women is absolutely about men's behaviour."
Ms Herron's father, John, released a statement on Thursday.
"Our beloved Courtney was the victim of a fatal assault. A person is now in custody," the statement read.
An online fundraising appeal set up by the Melbourne Homeless Collective to help pay for Ms Herron's funeral has raised more than $13,000.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800respect.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25). More information about mental health is available at Beyond Blue.
