Czarina dropped her kids off at school. Moments later, she was dead.

Czarina Gatbonton Tumaliuan adored her children.

Each morning, she would stand outside her home in Melbourne's west and make sure the four of them safely crossed the road to school, just a few metres away.

On Thursday, she did just that. Only now, she'll never get to do it again.

Czarina will never get to pick her children up from school. Never get to see their smiling faces. Never get to hear their infectious laughs.

Just moments after the school bell rang, neighbours reported hearing three harrowing screams, according to The Age.

A neighbour told the publication they saw a man standing outside Czarina's home looking dazed and wearing blood-stained clothing.

Then police and an ambulance tore down the street.

Czarina's body was found in the backyard of the Retford Close home with stab wounds just after 9am, police said.

Police arrested Jessie James Tumaliuan, 41, and charged him with murder later that evening.

Police said the couple were known to one another. The ABC reports the pair were married and shared four children together.

Czarina owned her own online business, which was featured in Australia's Filipino newspaper The Philippine Times, and described herself as a working mum, businesswoman, "supermum, foodie, adventurer".

She said her children were her "treasure, pride, joy and inspiration".

All of that has been taken from her.

"Czarina, fondly known as Toots by those who knew her, was a devoted mother, joyful friend, and strong woman who touched many lives," loved ones wrote in a GoFundMe. "Her sudden passing has created an immense void, leaving her community heartbroken and her four young children to navigate an uncertain future without their mother's guidance and care."

Czarina is the 16th Australian woman killed this year, according to Sherele Moody's Australian Femicide Watch.

Tumaliuan faced court on Friday morning, as dates were set for his next hearing.

During the brief appearance, the prosecutor asked for three months to gather additional evidence before handing it to Tumaliuan's defence team.

She said this was because police needed additional time to understand the cause of death and to take statements from the victim's family members who reside overseas.

No application for bail was made. He was remanded in custody until he returns to court in July.

A fundraiser has been started to support Czarina's children. To donate, visit here.

-with AAP

Feature image: Facebook/Toots Gatbonton Tumaliuan.