Comedian's father speaks out after she was murdered while walking home
The father of a young woman raped and murdered in Melbourne has thanked the community for its outpouring of support.
Jeremy Dixon has broken his family’s silence after his 22-year-old daughter, aspiring comedian Eurydice Dixon, was found dead in Princes Park on Wednesday.
“Eurydice’s immediate family very much appreciate the community support shown for Eurydice and the positive coverage about her,” he told 7News.
Again on Saturday, stunned locals gathered at the scene of the tragedy to share their shock.
Suburban sporting rivals playing scheduled fixtures at the sports field came together in a united huddle to pay their respects to Ms Dixon whose body was found on the grounds.
A shrine at the scene continues to grow, with an outpouring of sorrow and love from mainly strangers, whose sadness and shock is still raw.
The father of Jaymes Todd, the man accused of raping and killing Ms Dixon, also spoke – releasing a statement.
“We’re as appalled as the rest of society about what happened to her,” he said.
“There is nothing I can do to change it or make it better, but I wish there was.”
On the spot where her life was taken, dozens of police and community services gathered on Saturday to offer support and reassurance.
“We’re volunteers and we’re a good listening ear,” Kathy Cooney, from the Red Cross, said.
“We’re trained in psychological first aid and people have got lots of questions, and they’re trying to work out how to understand it.”
The community safety event will be followed by a larger gathering on Monday evening where thousands are expected for a candlelight vigil to honour the 22-year-old and stand up for the right of all people to be able to arrive at home at night safe.
