Partner of murdered prostitute Tracy Connelly releases first photo of his 'beautiful angel'

THE first image of murdered St Kilda sex worker Tracy Connelly has been released by her partner to "help share her story with the world".

Slain St Kilda sex worker Tracy Connelly and her long-term partner Tony Melissovas in happy times.

THE first picture of murdered sex worker Tracy Connelly has been released as news of a candlelight vigil is announced.

Tracy's partner of 19 years, Tony Melissovas, sent out the picture of the couple at the snow from several years ago to "honour her memory and help share her story with the world".

It was released by community organisation St Kilda Gatehouse who said it will hold a candlelight vigil next Thursday evening.

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"We want to spread the message that violence towards anyone, especially women, has no place in our community," CEO Sally Tonkin said.

"I'd like to invite and encourage all Melburnians to come together and help us reclaim Greeves Street as a place of strength and hope."

Ms Connelly, 40, was found dead in a van she was living in with Mr Melissovas at 3pm on Sunday July 21.

Police are investigating whether a client was responsible for the murder and have urged people who knew her in her professional capacity to come forward.

The vigil next week will take place on Greeves St in St Kilda from 6pm.

"Speakers at the vigil will include White Ribbon Ambassador Phil Cleary, Mayor of Port Phillip, Councillor Amanda Stevens and Shadow Minister for Crime Prevention, Jill Hennessy MP," Ms Tonkin said

"St Kilda choir the Solstice Singers and musicians Richelle Boer and Josh Fuhrmeister will also honour Tracy's memory with a musical accompaniment to the evening.

"St Kilda Gatehouse welcomes the wider public to join them in celebrating Tracy's life and remembering that she was someone - a partner, a daughter, a sister and a dear friend," she added.

Mr Melissovas previously told the Herald Sun Ms Connelly was his "beautiful angel''.

"She's my angel, my beautiful brown-eyed girl,'' Mr Melissovas said.

"I've never loved anyone the way I loved her, and I never will. She was my soul mate. We fell in love from the moment we met each other.

"And I miss her so much.''

Police said it was still appealing for clients of Ms Connelly to come forward.

"We need to find out what happened here and those people can help us,'' Detective Inspector John Potter, of the homicide squad, said last week.

"One of our avenues of inquiry is to look at potential clients of Kelly.

"At this stage we have not been able to identify anyone, but we need to clear anyone as much as anything.

"So anyone who knows Kelly, is a client of Kelly, we would appeal to those to contact us.''

The Herald Sun also revealed prostitutes were warned about an aggressive man in a blue Commodore before Ms Connelly was killed.

Det Insp Potter said this was still a line of inquiry.

"We are speaking to other street workers. We are trying to get a sense of that particular individual,'' he said.

"The street workers in St Kilda do have a good sense of who are the aggressive clients, if you will, and they are able to give us a bit of information with regard to that.''

Police are continuing to review CCTV footage and door-knock in the area.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au

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