THE alleged murder of a young Cairns woman has left the community “horrified” and “shocked”, a North Queensland mayor has said.

Toyah Cordingley went out to walk her dog on Sunday afternoon before her body was found on Wangetti Beach, 42 kilometres north of Cairns, early on Monday.

In a statement calling for the public to come forward with any clues, Douglas Shire Mayor said it is “extremely chilling to think a murderer is out there”.

“We (community) are in shock and really concerned because the killer or killers could still be out there.

“This is a disgusting, horrific and fatal act of violence against a young woman who was enjoying what so many people do on a daily basis — walk along our beautiful beaches.”

Ms Leu told news.com.au that in the 27 years she has lived in the area she has never come across anything like this.

“We are traditionally a very safe area, we are a national tourist destination with visitors from overseas and domestically and this is the last thing we expect,” Ms Leu said.

“Unfortunately it is what appears to be violence against women and it is sadly becoming common throughout Australia. We want this type of violence to stop.

A friend of Ms Cordingley told news.com.au she was one of the nicest people he had ever met.

“She was a great person. I can honestly say she didn't have a mean bone in her body. No matter who you were, she always tried to see the best in everyone,” Kris Huffadine said.

He met her through Paws & Claws and saw first hand her commitment to animals.

“She loved animals. Her whole world revolved around animals and helping them.”

Mr Huffadine said.

Her shocking death had left her loved ones numb and community members “angry and scared”.

“I believe most people are angry and scared that a young beautiful woman can’t walk and look after her dog at beach, especially in broad daylight.”

He urged anyone with information to come forward.

“Any witnesses or anyone with any information, we are begging (you) to come forward because she was the last person in the world that deserved this... All her friends and family just want to find the person responsible and try to put an end to this horrible tragedy.”

“My deepest condolences, along with the whole Douglas Shire community, goes out to the family and friends of the victim.”

Police sources told the Courier Mail Ms Cordingley had “visible” and “violent” injuries. Locals said the beach was frequented by a group of “oddbods” and vagrants, with recent reports of nudity and sexually deviant behaviour in the sand dunes.

Detective Inspector of the Far North District Sonia Smith said police were treating the Cairns woman’s death as a homicide investigation.

SES crews were last night carrying out forensic searches on the beach and in dense bushland, which will remain a crime scene.

Police confirmed Ms Cordingley’s dog was found on the beach and said her death could have been a sexually related murder.

“If we’re dealing with a potentially sexually related murder, which commonsensically we may be, we may well be dealing with a male,” Detective Senior Sergeant Ed Kinbacher said.

“It may well be the case this young woman has run into a stranger or potentially a person known to her and circumstances have unfolded that have led to her death.

“So it’s critical that anyone who was there come forward and let us know because I think that, at the end of the day, will provide us with the leads we potentially need to solve this matter.”

Her “larger than average dog”, identified as a German shepherd cross, great dane, mastiff, was found tied up at the scene.

The breeds are known to be aggressive towards strangers, with German shepherds particularly known for “resource guarding”, meaning they can become aggressive when someone touches their food or their owner.

It’s understood police will examine the dog in an attempt to find the killer.

The large dog may have been tied up before a threat was presented, or it did not see the killer as a threat.

Police said they had no leads or suspects and hope the scientific examination of the body would be completed by yesterday afternoon. Police divers were called in from Brisbane for assistance and are looking for personal items.

“We are still establishing her movements and that’s part of why we need to get information from the community today — to establish what exactly led up to Toyah’s death and her movements up until her death,” said Det Insp Smith.

Addressing media yesterday afternoon, Ms Smith said 23 people have come forward so far to provide police with information in regards to the investigation — but are still appealing for more people including friends, family and colleagues who have not yet come forward.

“We have an open investigation, we have ruled nothing in and nothing out,” she said.

Police believe Ms Cordingley may have attended Rusty’s Markets on Grafton Street on the day of her alleged murder and want to speak with members of the community who were at Rusty Markets, who may have talked to her, sold goods to her and interacted with her between 12pm and 1pm.

Police also want to talk to anyone with a dashcam who travelled between Smithfield and Port Douglas on the Captain Cook highway between noon and 7pm on Sunday — as well as those who frequent the beach and its two carparks (north and south).

Port Douglas Councillor Michael Kerr who employed Ms Cordingley at his animal shelter Paws and Claws for more than a year described her as “the most beautiful, loving soul”.

Anyone with information to report should call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.