‘Love and bright light’: Town reeling after Aysha’s death

Aysha Baty had been getting her life together and was looking forward to building a better future, but her life was tragically cut short in a brutal alleged attack.

Mourners pay their respects at Petrie Creek bridge in Nambour, near where Aysha Baty was found dead in the early hours of Saturday morning. Photo: Lachie Millard

Aysha Baty had been getting her life together and was looking forward to building a better future, friends of the 31-year-old say.

But she will never return to the Woombye home police say she left in the days leading up to her death.

The long-time Sunshine Coast local is being lovingly remembered by those who knew her as police piece together what led to her death.

Friend Dee Allen said Ms Baty was loved by many in the Nambour community and regularly attended homeless feeds in the hinterland town.

"Aysha was getting her life together … and was seriously looking forward to everything her future held," she said.

Aysha Baty was found dead in Nambour in the early hours of Saturday morning. Picture: Supplied

As her family comes to term with the loss of their "love and bright light", Ms Baty's brother, Cole Baty, said they wanted to recognise the support services available.

He told the Daily his family had asked for any support to be directed to The Shack Community Centre in Nambour.

A GoFundMe set up on Monday has asked for donations towards The Shack in lieu of flowers.

"Aysh had a big heart and would want her last gift to help those who need it," the fundraiser reads.

It's understood Ms Baty was staying at her partner's home in Woombye but left on Wednesday and was sleeping on the streets.

It's alleged she was beaten to death in the early hours of Friday morning.

The Sunshine Coast community has been rocked by the young woman's brutal death, with many remembering happier times.

"Rest in peace Aysha you will be missed by so many fly high with the angels," one mourner said.

"I remember Aysha would come home with my daughter on many Fridays from school and stay the weekend, such a beautiful young woman. Rise high with the angels Aysha …" another wrote.

SES volunteers assisted police on a search around the Petrie Creek bridge on Sunday. Photo: Lachie Millard

Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch officer-in-charge Daren Edwards said Ms Baty's partner was not the man in custody and was devastated by her death.

He said it was disturbing to see another alleged homeless murder on the Coast, less than a year after David Collin was allegedly attacked while sleeping outside the Millwell Street Community Centre.

"We don't know why the deceased chose to stay on the streets for two or three days," Detective Senior Sergeant Edwards said.

"Needless to say (homeless people) are still vulnerable people and they need assistance, and they need protection."

Sen-Sgt Edwards said the man charged with Ms Baty's murder, Dylan Alexander Wilson, was also sleeping on the streets.

He said police were yet to determine a motive and had not established a relationship with Mr Wilson and Ms Baty.

Police are urging anyone who may know Ms Baty or Mr Wilson to come forward.

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

Originally published as