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Natasha Rowley: Woman found dead at Melbourne buck's party remembered as 'beautiful bubbly girl'

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The woman found dead at a bucks' party at a Melbourne hotel earlier this month has been remembered as a "beautiful bubbly girl", who became an Australian soldier just four months before her death.

Private Natasha Rowley, 20, was found dead on July 16 in the shower of a room at The Oaks on Market apartments that had been rented by a group of 11 men from the ACT and NSW on a bucks' night.

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Woman found dead in CBD after buck's party

The woman, aged in her twenties, was found in the shower of an apartment in the Oaks on Market building on Sunday morning. Vision courtesy: Channel 7

It is understood Private Rowley, affectionately known as Tash and "Tooty" to her friends and family, met the men at a nightclub in the early hours of July 16 before returning to their hotel.

After interviewing four of the men who attended the bucks' party, police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. It is believed Private Rowley's death may be a case of misadventure, but the cause of her death is yet to be revealed.

Ms Rowley, from Perth, graduated as a soldier with the Australian Army in March.

Her mother, Natalie, shared pictures of her daughter in her army uniform after her graduation from the Kapooka training barracks in NSW.

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On social media, she told friends she was proud of Natasha and described her as "definitely braver than me".

A funeral will be held at Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park in Padbury in Perth's north on Tuesday, August 1. Guests have been asked to wear a "splash of purple".

In a tribute on Instagram, Natasha's sister Alannah said she would always be in her thoughts.

"I'll never forget your sweet smile my beautiful sister," she wrote.

One friend described Ms Rowley as someone who cared for those around her.

"Rest in peace Tash, you were a beautiful bubbly girl, I'll never forget this night where I first met you, such a bright girl with such a beautiful smile." 

"Tash will always have a place in mine and everyone's heart. She helped me through a lot and I really do appreciate what she said to me and the ways she helped me."

A death notice published on Saturday, July 22 described Ms Rowley as a "much loved daughter", "cherished sister" and "devoted aunty".

Another notice penned by family said the young soldier was "at peace".

"Tooty, you will be sadly missed. Forever young my girl. Your loving Pop and Uncle Denbeigh. At peace."

The Australian Defence Force last Thursday confirmed the woman was a member of the army.

"It is with deep regret that defence can confirm the death of an Australian Army soldier in Melbourne," it said in a statement.

"Defence extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the Australian Defence Force member, and is providing support to the family of the member."

 

I'll never forget your sweet smile my beautiful sister, I Love You Natasha ❤️💜

A post shared by Alannah Rowley (@alannahrowley) on