A Mildura man charged with the murder of an 11-year-old girl has been remanded in custody after a brief in appearance in the Wangaratta Magistrates Court.

Bowe Maddigan, 29, was charged after the discovery of Zoe Buttigieg’s body at her Wangaratta home, in north-east Victoria, on Sunday morning.

Maddigan appeared in court on Thursday morning charged with murder, sexual penetration of a child under 16 and indecent assault.

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His lawyer told the court he had no drug or alcohol issues.

Maddigan was arrested walking barefoot along the Hume Highway before Zoe’s body was found.

It is alleged he had been a guest at a party at the house the night before.

He was remanded in custody until February.

On Wednesday, the girl’s family thanked police and the local community for their “extraordinary support”.

“Zoe’s family would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Wangaratta Police, the homicide squad and paramedics who attended the scene,” the family said in a statement.

“Their continuing support during this terrible time in our lives has just been extraordinary.”

The community held a candlelight vigil for Zoe on Tuesday night.

“[We] 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,” the family’s statement said.

“We are so very touched and thankful for all the personal messages and tributes and for the concern which has been shown for the wellbeing of the family.”

The family asked for their complete privacy to grieve privately over their “beautiful little girl”.