The family of a 21-year-old has been left devastated after the young woman was found dead inside a Melbourne apartment, as homicide detectives continue investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.
Emergency services were called to an apartment complex on Cardigan St in Carlton about 1.45am on Saturday, where Jayda Allen was found dead inside a fifth-floor unit.
WATCH ABOVE: Family in mourning over the death of 21-year-old Jayda Allen
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A 60-year-old man was arrested nearby after police alleged he was acting erratically in the building’s underground car park.
However, the man was later released from custody as investigators continued their inquiries.
The circumstances surrounding Jayda’s death remain under investigation.
Her aunt Kellie Carter Bell said the family was struggling to come to terms with the loss.
“Three different people were ringing and texting me … not our Jayda girl,” she told 7NEWS.
Jayda Allen, 21, was found dead at a Melbourne apartment. Credit: Supplied.
Her family were told by police that Jayda had been beaten to death.
The apartment building remained a crime scene for more than 12 hours as homicide detectives and forensic officers examined the scene.
7NEWS understands a caller to triple-0 claimed a woman was attempting to drown herself before emergency crews were dispatched.
Residents living inside the complex said they had no idea what had happened until police knocked on their doors.
“Our floors were very close to each other but we honestly don’t hear anything,” one resident said.
Bell remembered her niece as a kind and caring young woman.
“She’s had a really difficult, hard life, but was so, so, so loved,” she said.
Jayda’s death remains under police investigation Credit: Supplied/7NEWS
Anti-violence advocate Sherele Moody said Jayda’s death had added to a growing number of women allegedly killed in Victoria this year.
“With Jayda’s death, we’ve lost 13 women here in Victoria. That is equal to Queensland. So Queensland and Victoria, again, the femicide capitals of Australia.,” Moody said.
Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
