Emergency services were called to a property in Patrick Avenue, Croydon North about 10.15pm on Saturday night after reports of an assault.
A 35-year-old Croydon North woman was treated by paramedics, but she died at the scene.
Croydon North man Adam Brown, 40, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon charged with murder.
His lawyer Nick Tehan said it was the man's first time in custody.
Police said Brown and the woman knew each other.
No details of the alleged murder were aired in court, but police spent much of Sunday blocking off the road and scouring the scene for evidence.
Brown, wearing a black t-shirt, only spoke during the hearing when asked to confirm he could hear the remote proceedings.
The woman's name was not released by the court.
Detective Senior Constable David Martin-Alcaide said family in China had been notified of the death, but family in Sydney had not yet been told.
On his personal website, the Deakin University digital media lecturer described himself as being "passionate about nonhuman animal welfare and human rights".
Police asked magistrate Olivia Trumble for extra time to prepare a brief of evidence against the academic.
The magistrate ordered prosecutors to deliver a brief of evidence by August 2.
Brown was remanded in custody to reappear in the same court on September 13.
10°C