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 to his Facebook on the day Ms O'Brien died, along with a video of a stand-up routine by Owen Benjamin called 'How To Be Married and Not Be Murdered'. Ms O'Brien had brain surgery on May 14 to remove a brain tumour and praised Sturt for cooking and taking care of household chores as she recovered '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,' a friend said Ms O'Brien had praised Sturt for cooking and taking care of her as she recovered over the past few weeks. 'I am home now and just requiring Panadol with the occasional Endone. Showering and dressing myself etc,' she told friends after the operation. 'Shea is taking care of all the chores and cooking.' Ms O'Brien was able to see the funny side of her medical experience, joking that her head looked like a tennis ball and dyeing the stubble green would make for a good Halloween costume. 'When I go back to work I plan to tell the patients that my hair fell out due to the stress of nursing,' she joked. Soon before her surgery last moths she wrote: 'Goodbye little brain pea!' Her death is a double tragedy for the family as her uncle Russell Gill died just four weeks ago, aged 68. Her death is a double tragedy for the family as her uncle Russell Gill died just four weeks ago, aged 68 Accused murderer Sturt faced Melbourne Magistrate's court on Wednesday morning wearing all black with no shoes A neighbour said the couple lived in the apartment for at least three years, but Ms O'Brien hadn't been seen for weeks. 'It would be at least four or five weeks since we've seen her, which was out of the ordinary,' neighbour Julie told 9 News. 'That's what's worried me. The fact that we hadn't seen her for a while – how long has she been up there for?' Julie said Ms O'Brien was 'introverted' and though she had a 'happy face' she was 'timid' 'just never looked happy'. Another neighbour said they heard noises or disturbances over the time the couple lived in the flat, but nothing suspicious. Forensics officers cordoned off parts of the building on Kooyong Road and were combing through the second-floor flat. Police said the exact circumstances and cause of death are yet to be established and investigations are ongoing. Sturt faced Melbourne Magistrate's court on Wednesday morning charged with murder wearing all black with bare feet. The woman could have been lying dead on the floor of the flat (pictured) for up to five weeks as neighbours hadn't seen her for a long time A police prosecutor told the court detectives were investigating an alleged history of domestic violence between the couple and would be interviewing witnesses and review CCTV. Magistrate Ann Collins said Sturt had 'diagnosed issues' that would need to be managed while he was behind bars. She didn't specify what those issues were, but Sturt spoke about autism on his Facebook page. He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on October 16.Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility