Australian woman allegedly murdered in Georgian capital

A missing Australian woman who was found dead in eastern Europe may have been murdered, local investigators say.

Shanae Edwards – who was also known as Shanae Brooke – had been reported missing since July 30 after going hiking in Mtatsminda park in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.

Ms Edwards' body was found the next day and a criminal investigation was launched by Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs.

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Local media report local police have already compiled an image of an alleged suspect.

Ms Edwards, 31, was an English teacher who had been in Georgia for around two years.

Following her disappearance, friends and co-workers compiled information of her whereabouts and established a search party.

"At 3.35pm she left home and was seen on CCTV wearing her black hiking outfit and carrying a green bag. Her hair was tied up," a public document about the search for Ms Edwards reads.

"Then she was seen across the Church of Mikhail of Tver, a popular hiking starting point. We don't know the exact time of that, but it takes about 15min from her home to walk there.

"She is a pro hiker and hikes in different directions, so she likely started her hike from that church.

"At 4.32pm a friend who is in California received a call from her while she was being attacked and screamed for help. She was heard saying 'please let me go, ok… just let me go.'"

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson told 9news.com.au the department is providing assistance to Ms Edwards' family.

"The Australian Government offers its deepest condolences to the family of an Australian woman whose death is being investigated by authorities in Tbilisi, Georgia," the DFAT spokesperson said.

"An officer from the Australian Embassy in Turkey (accredited to Georgia) has travelled to Tbilisi to liaise with Georgian authorities.

"DFAT is providing consular assistance to the woman's family."