Grim discovery as a woman’s body is found in St Kilda botanical gardens, Melbourne

A young woman’s half-naked body has been discovered in a popular botanical garden in Melbourne.

Police remain at the scene of the grim discovery after the body was found under a tree in the St Kilda Botanical Gardens shortly after 6.30am on Tuesday. 

Police are yet to determine whether the woman’s death is suspicious and the gardens are closed to the public.

‘The exact circumstances surrounding the death are yet to be determined and the investigation remains ongoing,’ a police statement read.

A woman’s body was found under a tree in St Kilda Botanical Gardens (pictured are police officers at the scene in the popular gardens on Tuesday)

St Kilda Botanical Garden remained closed off to the public (pictured) on Tuesday as police investigate the woman’s death

Pictures from the scene show the gates at the park’s entrance locked and cordoned off with police tape.

A heavy presence of masked police officers remain at the gardens as SES volunteers scour the park for possible evidence.

A soccer ball was located nearby.

The woman’s body has been removed from the scene and was taken away in a Coroner’s van late Tuesday morning.

SES volunteers (pictured) are also assisting in the police investigation of the woman’s death at St Kilda Botanical Gardens

Police continued to guard the cordoned off gates of St Kilda Botanical Gardens on Tuesday

Locals were shocked to hear about the woman’s death.

‘Oh my god. I can’t believe that. I live in this area,’ a distressed woman told the Herald Sun.

A man said the woman’s friends had spent all morning searching for her.

‘After 30-40 minutes of searching, the same description of girl was found here,’ he told the publication.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The circumstances surrounding the woman’s death are yet to be determined. Pictured are police at the scene in St Kilda Botanical Gardens