Pictured: Woman found dead in supermodel's Sydney home, man charged
The 25-year-old son of a woman who was found "stabbed to death" in the front yard of a home in Sydney's northern beaches has been charged with murder.
The body of the woman, who has been identified as 50-year-old Palm Beach hairdresser Lanell Latta, was discovered on Monday morning, reportedly with "multiple stab wounds".
At 10.45am neighbours heard screaming inside a house on Marine Parade in Avalon, which is owned by Australian supermodel Gemma Ward.
Latta was found "stabbed to death" in the front yard of the home, which was being rented from Ms Ward, police said.
The 25-year-old was found by police just a few blocks away in Ruskin Rowe, arrested and taken to Manly Police Station for questioning.
On Monday afternoon he was charged with murder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He was refused bail and is due to appear at Manly Local Court on Tuesday.
Marine Parade is a street full of luxury homes with beachfront views and expensive cars and the death has come as a shock to neighbours in the exclusive suburb.
"I came down the street and it was cordoned off," Craig Westwood said.
"I didn't know what happened until my daughter texted me, she was home and heard the screaming.
"It's horrible, in a neighbourhood like this, it's pretty quiet."
Ms Ward has released a statement which reads: "My heart goes out to the family and all involved in this tragedy. It's heartbreaking news."
The circumstances surrounding Ms Latta's death are being investigated and a brief will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
A NSW Police spokesman would not confirm the relationship between the pair, but said they were known to each other.
On Monday the normally bustling Palm Beach salon where Ms Latta worked for more than a decade was quiet.
