Isla Bell remembered for passion and kindness after police reveal alleged murder
Isla Bell's family says she will be remembered as a beautiful, kind and courageous person.
In short:
Two men have appeared in court after police alleged missing 19-year-old Isla Bell was murdered six weeks ago.
Her family has spoken of their grief after remaining positive while searching for her.
What's next?
A man charged with her murder will reappear in court in March, while a second man charged with assisting him will apply for bail on Friday.
The family of Melbourne woman Isla Bell have vowed to live their lives in honour of the 19-year-old whose remains were believed to have been found at a Melbourne tip.
Ms Bell was reported missing after leaving her Brunswick home on October 4.
Police announced overnight that three men had been arrested after human remains were found at a tip in Dandenong.
Marat Ganiev, 53, has appeared in court charged with murdering Ms Bell in St Kilda East on October 7.
Eyal Yaffe, 57, of Hampton has been charged with assisting an offender (murder).
The third man who was arrested, a 63-year-old from Mulgrave, was released pending further enquiries.
Tom Hope says his niece was passionate about the environment, was a loyal friend and was loved by her family. (ABC News: Jesse Thompson)
Ms Bell's uncle, Tom Hope, said the family was devastated and shocked by news that police believed she had been killed.
"Our family is grieving at the moment and I want us to remember Isla for who she was," an emotional Mr Hope told the ABC.
"Isla was a beautiful, kind, honest, courageous person.
"She loved gardening, she loved being in the water, being in nature, she cared deeply about the environment, was passionate about climate justice and social justice.
Mr Hope said his niece dreamt about being a marine biologist ever since she visited her mother's family in Queensland and snorkelled on the Great Barrier Reef.
"Those hopes and dreams have been taken away and I feel really angry, sad and disappointed about that."
Isla Bell wanted to be a marine biologist after visiting the Great Barrier Reef. (Facebook)
He said the family never gave up hope while they searched for Ms Bell, walking the streets to put up missing person posters.
"It's been incredibly difficult. Each day has got harder … not knowing where she was, fearing the worst," he said.
"Now it's unimaginable what the family, me, friends have to process"
He thanked the police, the community who also searched for his niece, and the Missed Foundation, which helps families through bereavement.
"She had a lot of friends who cared about her deeply and was much loved by her family," Mr Hope said.
“Nothing can bring her back but we will carry her with us in our hearts and honour her in how we chose to live."
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said on Wednesday Ms Bell's mother must be going through "unspeakable heartbreak".
"I send to Isla's mum all my love and support and strength for her in this most devastating of times," she said.