Last moments of murdered Vic girl

TIMELINE OF NIKKI FRANCIS-COSLOVICH'S DEATH ON AUGUST 25, 2015:

2.40pm - Nikki's mother, Peta-Ann Francis, realises her daughter is missing. She and her boyfriend John Torney search the home and neighbouring properties

3.16pm - Ms Francis calls Triple-0 to report Nikki missing

3.30pm - Police arrive at the home and search the area with the help of neighbours and volunteers

5.15pm - Police decide to conduct a second search of the house. An officer finds Nikki's body in the roof cavity of the home. No pulse is detected

5.30pm - A paramedic arrives and confirms Nikki is dead. He observes rigor mortis has set in

6pm - Ms Francis is arrested but not charged

AFTERWARDS:

- A pathologist concludes Nikki died between 11am and 2.30pm on August 25

- Nikki had blunt force trauma injuries to her liver, kidney, and skull. She had lost one third of her blood volume

- Nikki would have died within an hour of receiving her fatal injuries

- Torney is charged with her murder on August 28

WHAT THE PROSECUTION SAY HAPPENED TO NIKKI:

- Torney allegedly bashed the toddler between 10am and 2pm

- Ms Francis was allegedly away from home during most of this time period

- Torney allegedly hid Nikki's body in the roof cavity

WHAT THE DEFENCE SAY HAPPENED:

- Ms Francis allegedly told Torney she had hurt Nikki

- Ms Francis allegedly asked Torney to hide the girl's body, and go along with the missing person's report.

Source: Prosecution and defence openings to the Victorian Supreme Court sitting in Mildura.