Heartbreaking tributes for Zoe Walker, 38, found dead in Upper Ferntree Gully home
The body of Zoe Walker, 38, was found by police in her Upper Ferntree Gully home shortly before 8am.
A 46-year-old Upper Ferntree Gully man was arrested at the scene and is assisting police with inquiries.
Police allege he was known to Ms Walker.
No charges have been laid at this stage.
Speaking to 7News, Ms Walker's dad Robert said his daughter was a 'pioneer' in her field, launching her own house painting business after earning a certificate III in General Construction (Painting and Decorating) from Swinburne University of Technology.
'Qualified since 2014 through apprenticeships Australia!' she wrote on social media in July.
'How times have changed.'
Mr Walker said his daughter was 'full of life'.
'She struggled on in her trade, which is hard for women to be in,' he told the outlet.
'Every job, even the ones she wasn't familiar with, she had to prove herself, whereas other males didn't have to and she had to struggle, but she did it.'
Locals described Ms Walker as a 'lovely lady', and were 'shocked' by her death.
Police have established a crime scene in the residential street, which locals said was 'quiet'.
'I have never seen a police car,' a resident of over a decade said. 'Never heard any noise.
'I never heard the police cars arrive. It was only when I went out about 3.30pm or 4pm that I saw the police cars were there with the tape.'
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