AN investigation has been launched into how a mother awaiting trial for allegedly killing her eight-year-old son died while on remand in jail.

Joanne Finch was found dead on Tuesday evening in a cell in the maximum-security Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in Melbourne’s west.

The 42-year-old had been charged with the murder of her son, Brodie, at her home in Tootgarook on the Mornington Peninsula.

Ms Finch called triple-0 for help before her son’s body was found by police shortly after 1.30pm on March 8.

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She had told police she “heard voices in her head”.

Ms Finch’s barrister, Brendan Wilkinson, said news of her death had devastated friends and family.

“This is truly distressing news,” he said. “To have so many people behind you and then for all the effort to be wasted is terrible.”

A specialist psychiatric ­report concluded Ms Finch was suffering “a major depressive illness”, Mr Wilkinson said.

media_camera Joanne Finch has been charged with killing eight-year-old Brodie Moran

“Joanne had so much support but it seems she couldn’t live knowing she was without Brodie,” he said.

He said he had spoken to a friend of Ms Finch who had visited her in jail only days ­before her death.

“He said she was coming good. It’s terrible how she could be doing so well one day and then be dead only days later,” he said.

media_camera Joanne Finch, ex-partner Lee Moran and their son Brodie.

Friends and family from Tootgarook and Rosebud had reached out to Ms Finch while she going through the court process. “Everyone that met her knew she was a good person and that she was going through quite a lot mentally,” Mr Wilkinson said.

Ms Finch had been in the women-only Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in Deer Park since her arrest and was due to appear in court in October.

Sergeant Cameron Scott said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Police will now prepare a report for the Coroner.

A Corrections Victoria spokeswoman today confirmed Ms Finch’s death in custody.

— If you or someone you know is in need of crisis or suicide prevention support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.