Mr Todd was charged on Wednesday night after handing himself in to Broadmeadows police station, bringing an end to a major manhunt. The teenager, from Broadmeadows, is also charged with one count of rape. He was driven by detectives to the court shortly after 10am, wearing jeans, a grey shirt and a black leather jacket. He later appeared in court wearing a short-sleeved blue shirt, but he did not say anything while he sat for one hour in the dock, although at one point he put a hand over his mouth to conceal a yawn. His Legal Aid lawyer John Riordan applied to have his Mr Todd's name and image suppressed from media reports, and argued his mental health condition, age and appearance jeopardised his safety in prison.

The lawyer also argued Mr Todd's 15-year-old brother could experience distress if the accused man was named. But Magistrate Andrew McKenna ruled that media could name Mr Todd. It was Mr Todd's first time in custody, Mr Riordan said. He said Mr Todd's family had "indicated his condition makes him socially regressive". "He struggles in certain social environments and that may have a significant impact on him in custody," Mr Riordan said. Mr Todd was on prescribed medication for his condition, the court heard.

The woman's body was found on the soccer pitch at Princes Park. Credit:Paul Jeffers Ms Dixon, an aspiring comedian, has been remembered by friends as a "kind, intelligent and talented" woman on the cusp of breaking ground in the comedy industry. Homicide squad Inspector Andrew Stamper said it was understood Ms Dixon and her accused killer did not know each other. And police do not believe Ms Dixon's death was linked to another sexual assault in Parkville in March. "We are satisfied at the moment the two aren't connected. Unfortunately this leaves us with the prospect there is an outstanding offender out there ... which we obviously need to maintain focus on."

Carlton North death Police believe Ms Dixon was killed some time between 11pm Tuesday and 3am Wednesday, Inspector Stamper said. Detectives released images from CCTV footage of a man they wished to speak to on Wednesday night. The footage was taken in the CBD, Inspector Stamper said, but he declined to reveal how police had determined this man was of interest to them. "For us, charging somebody isn't the end," he said. "There is obviously still a lot of work that has to be done."

However, he said the community and media had played a significant role in capturing the alleged killer. Homicide Squad Acting Inspector Andrew Stamper. Credit:Paul Jeffers "They played a very significant role in us being able to resolve this matter as swiftly as we have," he said. He urged people to continue to be vigilant. "If people have any concerns at any time for their own security, call triple zero. We would much rather have too many calls than too few."

Round-the-clock patrols As news of Ms Dixon's death broke on Wednesday morning, a sense of alarm came with it and detectives promised round-the-clock patrols of Princes Park. But there was little sign come Thursday that the park had been the centre of a major homicide investigation, except for some flowers placed at the scene. A bouquet of yellow flowers tied with a white ribbon lay on a park bench and a single white orchid was left next to a soccer goalpost. A heart-shaped chain of yellow and orange jonquils was placed metres from the jogging track on Princes Park’s eastern side. More flowers were placed next to it throughout the day.

A heart-shaped chain of yellow and orange jonquils at the scene of the woman's death in Princes Park. Credit:Eddie Jim Superintendent David Clayton said there would be a visible police presence at the park "all times of the day and night". “They [police] will be on foot, they’ll be on bicycles and they’ll be in cars,” he said. He urged anyone walking in the area at night to be aware of their surroundings. Nestled near the residential colleges of Melbourne University to the south, Princes Park has one of the city’s most popular running tracks, often filled with young students.

But the closest property to the Princes Park crime scene is Melbourne General Cemetery. The nearest residents are further north, opposite Ikon Park, in Macpherson and Garton streets. To the north, it borders the corner of Royal Parade and Park Street, and close to the pubs that dot Sydney Road, meaning it also becomes a cut-through in the wee hours for those walking home. The scene near Princes Park on Wednesday as police investigated the discovery of a woman's body. Credit:Chris Hopkins Earlier assault On March 28, another woman was sexually assaulted less than one kilometre away, near Royal Park in Parkville, as she was walking by the intersection of Gatehouse Street and Bayles Crescent about 2.35am.

A man approached the woman from behind, trapped her in a bear hug and the pair fell to the ground, where he sexually assaulted her, police said. But the victim screamed within earshot of nearby homes and managed to escape. "It was the only time I thought someone could rip me out of this world," the victim told media on Wednesday. "I felt like I was fighting for my life."