The distraught partner of a northern beaches hairdresser allegedly murdered by her son says he is a ‘shattered shell’ after losing his soulmate.
Sydney woman Lanell Latta, 50, was found stabbed to death on Monday morning, two days after she celebrated her partner Geoff Robson-Scott’s 60th birthday with a big party.
Mr Robson-Scott was present at the Avalon home, owned by supermodel Gemma Ward, during the alleged slaying.
He bore two black eyes as he paid tribute to his late partner on Tuesday afternoon:
‘She was a beautiful woman, she was beautiful in spirit.
‘She’s the kindest person I’ve ever known.
‘We were both the happiest we’ve ever been.
‘I’ve just turned 60 and it’s taken a long time to find that level of love. And she was so happy, I was so happy.
Lanell Latta, 50, was found stabbed to death inside the Marine Parade beachside home she rented on Monday morning
Partner: Geoff Robson-Scott’s voice quavered as he spoke of his grief outside the family home on Tuesday
Rebecca Crawford, 21, arrived at her mother’s Avalon home on Tuesday to collect the family’s cat and dog which had been left behind in all the chaos of the day before
‘We were really close. We’ve been together for about two years. And it’s just a huge tragedy what’s happened here.
‘Everybody’s a bit numb.
‘I’m a bit of a shattered shell myself.
‘It’s great that everybody’s pulling together here now’.
The stabbing death came just two days after a big 60th birthday party was held at the home
Ms Lanell’s son Joel Woszatka, 25, was arrested nearby and charged with his mother’s murder
Arriving home to pick up the family cat and dog, Ms Lanell’s daughter Rebecca Crawford, 21, said her mother’s tragic death ‘doesn’t seem real’.
‘In all honesty I’m pretty much just in shock,’ Ms Crawford said.
‘It hasn’t hit me yet that it’s real, it probably will when the funeral comes but it just doesn’t feel real.’
Ms Latta’s ex-husband Guy Crawford said his priority was helping the family through such a traumatic time.
‘I’ve got no words, no words at all,’ he said. ‘We’ve got a lot to get through sorting out all the family.’
‘Recreational activities were a part of it, I believe, but a report has to come from the police in due course.’
Floral tributes gathered beside Ms Latta’s letterbox, mourning the popular local.
‘Rest in peace beautiful Lanell, gone too soon,’ one card said.
Rebecca Crawford, 21, arrived at her mother Lanell Latta’s Avalon home on Tuesday to collect the family’s cat and dog
Joel Woszatka (pictured), 25, was arrested and charged over the stabbing murder of his mother, 50-year-old Lanell Latta
Ms Latta (pictured), 50, was found stabbed to death in her rented home on Sydney’s northern beaches on Monday morning
Police are investigating whether drugs, particularly ice, have played a role in the murder of Ms Latta (Ms Latta pictured left, Woszatka second from right)
Floral tributes left outside the home Ms Latta rented in Avalon beach, where she was found dead on Monday morning
Ms Latta was described as a ‘hippie chick’ who had a ‘beautiful smile’. A family friend said she wouldn’t harm a flea
Woszatka was formally refused bail in Manly Court this morning.
The court heard Woszatka was also charged with assaulting Mr Robson-Smith, who was allegedly attacked when he tried to render assistance to the dying woman.
Woszatka’s arrest was the culmination of what locals regard a dark time for the young man, who family friends revealed habitually wandered the suburban streets at dawn and dusk with a long neck beer in his hand.
People had been ‘trying to help Joel for a while, but it was having very little effect,’ the man told Daily Mail Australia.
The Avalon property, owned by Australian supermodel Gemma Ward, where Lanell Latta was found murdered on Monday morning
Police returned to the property on Tuesday to collect evidence for the Lanell Latta murder case
Police returned to the Avalon property on Tuesday to collect evidence for the Lanell Latta murder case
Australian supermodel Gemma Ward and her husband David Letts have rented out the two-bedroom beach home since buying it last year for $1.6 million
‘Neighbours would see him walking along the street at 9am with a long neck in a paper bag, and he would do the same in the evening,’ he said.
Local children who would previously say hello to the 25-year-old were reportedly now afraid to approach him, but the man, who declined to be identified, said he was not entirely to blame.
Police are investigating any link to drug use, particularly ice, in relation to the murder, with Ms Latta’s family friend noting the drug was becoming an issue in the affluent suburb.
‘The problem is, there are a number of kids who lose their way in Avalon to drugs and alcohol – and just as many can go on to lead very successful lives,’ he said.
He said since the killing had made headlines, debate had been raging about what could be done to tackle ice use among the local youth.
‘Ice needs to be wiped off the face of the earth,’ the man said.
‘Addicts are just the victims of the dealers.’
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