The alleged rape and murder of a young comedian as she walked home at night in Australia has unleashed an outpouring of public grief and anger about violence against women.

Eurydice Dixon, 22, was killed just hours after performing a gig in Melbourne’s Highlander bar. In a poignant last text message to her boyfriend she wrote: “I’m almost home safe. HBU? (how about you?)” reported the Age newspaper.

Her body was found on a football field in the early hours of Wednesday morning and a man, 19, has been charged after handing himself in to the police.

Dixon’s tragic death has evoked memories of the 2012 murder of an Irish woman, Jill Meagher, 29, in an adjacent Melbourne suburb. The violent attack on Meagher, who was also walking home alone after a night out, generated high levels of public sympathy and prompted a peace march of 30,000 people.

There have been calls on social media to honour the aspiring comedian, who was known for her passion for women’s rights and social issues, with a similar public gathering.