Friends and family are mourning a 'wonderful nurse' who was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend as she recovered from brain surgery.
Cait O'Brien was found stabbed to death after police kicked down the door of her flat in Gardenvale, southeast Melbourne, about 7.30pm on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old had a brain tumour removed on May 14 and was back at work 'rocking her awesome new hairdo' when her life was cut short.
Friends and family are mourning 'wonderful nurse' Cait O'Brien who was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend as she recovered from brain surgery
The 31-year-old had a brain tumour removed on May 14 and was back at work 'rocking her awesome new hairdo' when her life was cut short
Her aunt Maureen Gill said the family was in shock at the death of their 'beautiful cousin niece' and were supporting each other.
'Uncle Russell will look after you our darling, and your nan and gramps. Rest peacefully,' she said.
A close family member said Ms O'Brien was the 'most beautiful girl' and hoped justice would be served. 'It's so hard,' they added.
Narelle Bonner, who worked and studied with Ms O'Brien for the past 10 years, said she became a 'wonderful nurse' who treated everyone like they mattered.
'Caitlin was a quiet but cheery girl who was extremely passionate about caring for others, which showed in the way she cared for her patients and their families,' she told The Age.
Ms O'Brien, 31, was found dead after police kicked down the door on Tuesday to conduct a welfare check
Shea Sturt, 32, was arrested by homicide police soon after the body was discovered, and charged with murder
Another friend remarked how Ms O'Brien was only just healing from the surgery that saved her life when she died.
'She was so brave and had a new lease on life. I'm heartbroken,' they said.
Other friends said they wished they had been more in touch in recent weeks.
'I am guttered and wished I had done more when talking to her last week,' one said.
The Alfred hospital, where she worked, said staff were 'deeply saddened by the passing of a caring and respected nurse'.
'Caitlin O'Brien spent a number of years nursing at Caulfield Hospital and, more recently, joined the team at The Alfred. She will be greatly missed.'
Ms O'Brien's boyfriend Shea Dylan Sturt, 32, was arrested by homicide police soon after the body was discovered in the flat they shared.
Sturt spoke to protective service officers at Melbourne's Flinders Street Station just hours earlier, according to the Herald Sun.
A court heard police were investigating an alleged history of domestic violence between the couple.
Sturt posted a series of bizarre introspective posts
