(CNN) An Israeli student who was talking on the phone to her sister overseas has been killed in a "horrific attack" in Melbourne, Australia, police said -- a city consistently ranked among the world's safest places to live.

Victoria Police said the 21-year-old victim, Aiia Maasarwe, appeared to have been "seriously assaulted."

The La Trobe University student's body was found partially clothed in bushes early Wednesday in Bundoora, a suburb about 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Melbourne's center, CNN affiliate Nine News Australia reported

The sister whom Maasarwe was talking to at the time of the attack alerted authorities.

Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said Thursday that further details about her injuries would not be revealed out of respect for her family.

Read More