The 22-year-old comedian found dead in a Melbourne park was just a few hundred metres from home when she sent a heartbreaking final message to a friend.

In high spirits after a successful comedy gig at CBD pub the Highlander Bar, Eurydice Dixon was walking through Princes Park in Carlton North when she used her phone to contact a friend she had left at Flinders Street Station.

“I’m almost home safe, HBU [how about you],” she messaged Toby Magnuson on Facebook just after midnight.

Less than three hours later, Ms Dixon’s body was found on the Princes Park field by a passerby at about 3am on Wednesday.

“She was happy and content. She gave me a hug, blew me a kiss and said she was going for a walk,” Mr Magnuson told Fairfax Media.

“She was on top of the world because her gig went so well.”

Her accused killer, Jaymes Todd, 19, of Broadmeadows, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday charged with rape and murder.

Friends and fellow comedians have joined in an outpouring of tributes for Ms Dixon.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic news of the death of Eurydice Dixon. She was a remarkable, talented, kind, unique and universally loved person and the entire staff are shattered and heartbroken,” Highlander Bar said in a statement.

Comedian Chris Franklin posted to Facebook, saying the “Melbourne comedy community is grieving today. Eurydice was one of ours.”

“I worked with her over the last two festivals in Melbourne. All who can, in the comdey (sic) scene will be attending the Highlander gig next Tuesday to remember her,” he wrote.

The Comedy Women’s Association described Ms Dixon as “a unique and talented voice and will be very much missed”.

Comedian Julia Morris took to Twitter to express her shock.

“I am absolutely shattered to hear of the despicable death of Eurydice Dixon,” she wrote.

“An important and funny voice has been extinguished. Vale Eurydice Dixon.”

I am absolutely shattered to hear of the despicable death of Eurydice Dixon. Our comedy community is like a family & this news is beyond heart breaking. My deepest condolences go to her family and friends. An important and funny voice has been extinguished. Vale Eurydice Dixon Jx pic.twitter.com/aqXAxISePW

— Julia Morris (@Ladyjmo) June 14, 2018

Supporters turned to GoFundMe to raise money to donate to Ms Dixon’s family, raising more than $44,635 by 2pm on Friday and surpassing its $1500 goal.

Comedians including Cal Wilson, Anne Edmonds and Celia Pacquola are among those to have made pledges.

The man charged with her rape and murder, was remanded to reappear in court on October 3.

Mr Todd kept his eyes lowered for some time after taking his place in the dock in court on Thursday.

Victoria Legal Aid lawyer John Riordan said it was Mr Todd’s first time in custody and stressed his vulnerability in that environment due to his youth and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

The CCTV footage of the accused that police released on Wednesday.

The lawyer argued Mr Todd should not be publicly identified for several days while more information on his disorder was sought.

Sharing Todd’s identity would also compromise his safety in custody, he said.

“The risk is real and significant whilst he is in custody,” Mr Riordan said.

Intense media scrutiny of Mr Todd’s case and the impact that publicity may have on the reliability of witness statements still being gathered were among other reasons the lawyer gave to justify the suppression.

But magistrate Andrew McKenna ruled only images of Mr Todd’s face should be withheld from publication.

“Prison officers are very much aware of the high priority of safety and security being assured,” the magistrate said in relation to Mr Todd’s safety in custody.

-with AAP