A woman who was found dead alongside a man in a unit in a beachside Melbourne suburb has been identified.
The body of Sandra Dobrila, 41 was discovered next to a 38-year-old man at a property on James Street in Mordialloc, in the city’s south-east, around 11am on Thursday.
Police have launched a major homicide investigation following the grim discovery.
Tributes have poured in for Ms Dobrila with many posting heartfelt messages online on Saturday night.
One of Ms Dobrila’s friends shared an emotional message through Australian Femicide Watch, an online page that documents women and children who have lost their lives to violence.
‘She had the most beautiful aura about her, spreading love and kindness wherever she went,’ the person said.
‘Sandra was always the first to check on everyone around her, making sure they were OK.
‘She was a beautiful, kind soul who didn’t deserve what happened to her.’
The body of Sandra Dobrila (pictured) was discovered next to a 38-year-old man at a property on James Street in Mordialloc, in Melbourne’s south-east, around 11am on Thursday
Ms Dobrila and the man, who is understood to be from St Kilda, were found in the open kitchen and dining area of the second story of the property, the Herald Sun reports.
Victoria Police said an associate, who works with either the man or Ms Dobrila, reportedly went to conduct a welfare check at the property after they failed to show up for work.
Ms Dobrila, who worked as a customer services manager for cooking oil firm EcoFry, is understood to have moved in to the property around a month ago.
It remains unclear how the pair died. Detective Inspector Scott Dwyer previously revealed that the deceased were known to each other.
Inspector Dwyer said the nature of the relationship is unclear and the investigation into the incident was ‘complex’.
He also didn’t disclose whether police had seized any weapons or if there were any signs that weapons might have been used in the lead up to the incident.
No one has been arrested and Victoria Police previously stated in a statement that detectives are not looking for anyone else in relation to the matter at this stage.
Shocked residents previously told the newspaper they rushed outside after they heard someone screaming ‘someone’s been killed’.
Police have launched a major homicide investigation following the grim discovery at the beachside suburb (pictured police and SES crews at the scene on Thursday)
Neighbour Jade Lindsay said she heard a ‘blood curdling scream’ from a ‘very distressed’ woman, who had discovered the bodies.
‘It was a really distressing, blood curdling scream that really scared me because it was so prolonged,’ she said
‘It’s a pretty distressing thing to hear … obviously that lady who screamed was very distressed.’
Ms Lindsay said a man and a woman, believed to be in their 30s, were pacing up and down the pavement outside the home.
She saw the man stop and put his head in his hands.
Witnesses had earlier said they reportedly saw the pair arguing outside before the tragedy.
Other witnesses claimed to have seen and heard a vehicle tearing away from the scene shortly after the pair are believed to have died.
Detectives and forensic crews returned to the scene on Friday morning while a block of apartments remained cordoned off.
Forensic and homicide detectives remained at the scene for most of Thursday.
The area is home to several luxury properties that are located just minutes away from the popular Mordialloc Beach.
