In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through the Melbourne community, a young woman was reportedly assaulted by a man she knew, who lay in wait outside her residence.

The situation took an unexpected turn as authorities discovered the man’s body in the far western part of the state, after having earlier urged him to surrender himself.

According to police reports, the 18-year-old woman had returned to her home on Miller Grove in Kew around 1 a.m. today, following an evening spent with friends. It was at this moment that an 18-year-old man, hailing from nearby Camberwell, allegedly launched his attack.

Victoria Police Superintendent Wayne Cheesman provided further details, highlighting the premeditated nature of the attack. “He was waiting outside in the shadows,” he stated.

“As she approached her driveway, moments away from the safety of her family home, he confronted her and stabbed her multiple times,” Cheesman alleged, painting a grim picture of the incident.

“Just a young girl who was minding her own business walking home in the safety of her own driveway.”

Police said the attacker fled the scene.

The woman was taken to hospital with what police initially feared were life-threatening injuries.

She is now in a serious condition and recovering in hospital.

Her neighbours in the close-knit street were shaken and scared for the girl who is from a “very lovely family”.

“I just heard like a cry out for help,” a witness said.

9News understands it was another young woman who reported the attack to police.

Despite searches in the area early this morning, the young man could not be found.

However at the same time as officers were combing the scene, police responded to a Triple Zero call in Victoria’s west.

Officers said they found the man’s body about 360 kilometres away at Antwerp, near the SA border. 

His death is not being treated as suspicious.