The woman who was found dead in a Melbourne park on Saturday morning died as a result of a "horrendous bashing", police say.

Key points: Police believe Ms Herron was attacked on Friday night or Saturday morning

Police believe Ms Herron was attacked on Friday night or Saturday morning The 25-year-old led a "transient" lifestyle, couch surfing and possibly sleeping rough

The 25-year-old led a "transient" lifestyle, couch surfing and possibly sleeping rough Investigators are trying to retrace her movements since she was last seen on May 14

Police on Sunday identified the woman as 25-year-old Courtney Herron, of no fixed residence.

Ms Herron's body was discovered among a group of logs by dogwalkers in Royal Park in Parkville about 9:25am on Saturday.

Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper of the homicide squad said police believed Ms Herron had been attacked in the park either on Friday night or Saturday morning.

Courtney Herron was couch surfing and may have been sleeping rough, police say. ( Supplied: Victoria Police )

"She died as result of a horrendous bashing is the only way to describe it, so we are now very focused on finding the perpetrator of this crime," Inspector Stamper said.

"The level of violence involved here was extreme."

He said it was not clear whether a weapon had been used.

A post-mortem examination had found no evidence that she had been sexually assaulted, Inspector Stamper said.

Some efforts had been made to conceal Ms Herron's body.

Inspector Stamper said Ms Herron had experienced issues with drugs and mental illness and had been couch surfing.

He said she may have been sleeping rough but it was not clear whether she had been sleeping in the park.

Police had spoken to a number of people who slept rough in the park as part of their investigation, Inspector Stamper said.

Inspector Stamper said Ms Herron was originally from Melbourne's inner north but in recent times had led a "fairly transient lifestyle" and had had only "sporadic" contact with her family.

"Family relationships can be fragmented but I stress that doesn't mean families out there don't love their children.

"We're dealing with a heartbroken family here."

Members of the public left tributes at the spot where Ms Herron's body was found. ( ABC News: Zalika Rizmal )

Inspector Stamper said the last confirmed sighting of Ms Herron was in St Albans in Melbourne's west on May 14, when she had contact with police.

He said police were seeking to retrace her movements between that date and when she was attacked.

At the time of her death, Ms Herron was wearing a light brown sleeveless vest or jacket, a black hoodie, black tracksuit pants, black runners and a blue singlet top, which featured pink buildings, gold sequins and a large blue rose on the lower right side.

"We are appealing for the community's help and remind them that no piece of information is too big or too small," Inspector Stamper said.

"We know a number of people use this park and urge anyone with information or who may have seen anything suspicious to come forward."

Detective 'angry' about woman's death

Inspector Stamper said as the father of a daughter he was "angry" about the "vulnerable" woman's death.

"This was a young woman who obviously had some significant challenges in life, and we as a community should be protecting these people, and we didn't — we failed on this occasion."

"I feel angry — as a proud, born and bred Melbourne person — that these things happen."

Ms Herron's death has prompted an outpouring of grief. ( ABC News: Zalika Rizmal )

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews described Ms Herron's death as a "terrible, terrible tragedy".

"It reminds us that whilst we have achieved a lot we have so much more to do in terms of preventing violence against women and keeping women across Victoria safe," he said.

He said his Government stood ready to make any changes Victoria Police might recommend to improve public safety.

Police have sought to reassure the public that the park is safe. ( AAP: James Ross )

'You deserved so much better'

Members of the public have left floral tributes at the spot where Ms Herron's body was found, as police patrolled the busy park on bicycles and horseback on Sunday in a bid to reassure the public.

Crime scene tape that had cordoned off a large area of the park on Saturday had been removed by Sunday, and members of the public laid flowers on a log near where Ms Herron's body was found.

Police have stepped up their presence in the area. ( ABC News: Zalika Rizmal )

"You deserved so much better. May you rest in everlasting piece," one note read.

Police and State Emergency Service personnel conducted an extensive line search for evidence on Saturday.

Royal Park, near the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne Zoo and Melbourne University, is popular with joggers, dogwalkers and cyclists.

Dogwalkers found the woman's body about 9:25am on Saturday. ( AAP: James Ross )

Ms Herron's body was found near the intersection of busy Flemington Road and Elliott Avenue, which is one of the main links between Melbourne's east and west.

It is about two kilometres from where comedian Eurydice Dixon, 22, was raped and murdered in June last year by 19-year-old Jaymes Todd as she walked home from a gig.

In January, 21-year-old Arab-Israeli exchange student Aiia Maasarwe was fatally attacked after she got off a tram in Bundoora in Melbourne's north.

Police and SES personnel combed the parklands for evidence on Saturday. ( AAP: James Ross )

Codey Hermann, 20, has been charged with Ms Maasarwe's rape and murder.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius on Saturday sought to reassure people that the park was safe, saying people should not be deterred from going about their usual activities.

"Melbourne remains one of the safest cities in Australia, if not the world," he said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.