The son of Lanell Latta, who was stabbed to death in Sydney’s Northern Beaches on Monday, has been charged with her murder.
Joel Woszatka, 25, was arrested in nearby Ruskin Rowe, where police spoke with him before putting him in a paddy wagon and taking the man to Manly Police station.
He has been charged with murder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Police are investigating whether drugs, particularly ice, have played a role in the murder of Ms Latta, Nine News reported.
A friend of the family told Daily Mail Australia drug and alcohol abuse was becoming a big problem with young people living in the area.
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
He said people had been ‘trying to help Joel for a while, but it was having very little effect’.
‘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.
‘The younger kids who once would try and say hi to him, started to get scared of him.’
The man described Lanell as a ‘hippie chick’, with a ‘beautiful smile’.
‘She was a beautiful person who couldn’t harm a flea,’ he said.
He said since the killing had made headlines, debate was 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.’
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)
Ms Latta was described as a ‘hippie chick’ who had a ‘beautiful smile’. A family friend said she wouldn’t harm a flea
A witness to Woszatka’s arrest told the broadcaster officers and the man had been conversing peacefully before he was put into the paddy wagon.
‘He didn’t put up a fight, no carrying on,’ the man said.
Lanell Latta, 50, was found dead at the property on Marine Parade near Avalon Beach at 10.45am, NSW police said.
Ms Latta had been renting the home from Australian supermodel Gemma Ward, who expressed her shock to The Daily Telegraph.
‘It’s heartbreaking news. My heart goes out to the family and all involved in this tragedy,’ she said.
Australian supermodel Gemma Ward and her husband David Letts rented out the two-bedroom beach home since buying it last year for $1.6 million
Ms Latta, 50, is alleged to have been stabbed to death by her own son, who has been arrested and charged
Pictured: A family member of Ms Latta breaks down after the mother’s body was discovered
Ms Ward bought the two-bedroom beach property with her husband David Letts in 2016 for $1.6 million. The property was leased to the victim.
Mr Letts, who knew one of Ms Latta’s sons, also expressed his heartbreak at the news.
‘She was such a sweet woman, it’s just a tragedy,’ he said.
Georgia Westwood, who lived with her family next door to Ms Latta, said she could hear screaming from her balcony today.
‘I saw a man running down the road but I didn’t really think anything of it,’ she told Nine News.
Woszatka was arrested shortly after and was questioned at Manly Police Station
Officers have cordoned off the home and were still at the scene late into the afternoon (pictured)
It is believed the victim was renting the two-bedroom house from Ms Ward
The two-bedroom house on Marine Parade belongs to model Gemma Ward
Ms Latta’s death is being investigated. Officers have cordoned off the home and are still at the scene.
A report will be prepared for the coroner, officers confirmed.
Family members of the victim were overcome with emotion as they arrived at the home following the incident.
Police were seen consoling a young woman and she held her hands to her face.
A man in a grey hoodie also appeared to be crying as he sat on the curb.
Girls dressed in what appear to be school uniform are seen speaking with police outside the crime scene
A man is pictured holding his head in his hands as he sits on the curb in front of the home
A report into Ms Latta’s death will be prepared for the coroner, officers confirmed
Police were seen consoling a young woman and she held her hands to her face
Friends paid tribute to Ms Latta on Facebook, one writing: ‘So sad, I miss you already beautiful will never forget your smile’.
Another said the woman: ‘was and is a beautiful spirit’.
Ms Ward and her husband David Letts have been renting out the two-bedroom beach home since buying it last year for $1.6 million.
It was advertised for a six-month lease at $750 per week from October, according to 9News.
The couple have two children – a daughter Naia, 3, and seven-month-old son Jett.
Officers were seen flooding the quiet suburban street after Ms Latta was stabbed to death
The Perth-born supermodel (pictured), who dated Australian actor Heath Ledger before his death, quickly rose to the top and was considered the industry’s new ‘it girl’ in the late 2000s
Ms Ward and her husband David Letts have been renting out the two-bedroom beach home
Ms Ward and her husband reportedly bought the home last year for $1.6 million
Ms Ward, 29, made her Australian Fashion Week debut at just age 15 in 2003.
The Perth-born supermodel, who dated Australian actor Heath Ledger before his death, quickly rose to the top and was considered the industry’s new ‘it girl’ in the late 2000s.
She was ranked as the world’s 10th highest earning model by Forbes in 2007 before deciding to step away from the limelight.
In 2014, Ms Ward returned to the runway at the Spring/Summer 2015 show during Milan Fashion Week.
A group of police are pictured talking outside the Northern Beaches home
More officers were seen putting on and taking off forensic suits as they entered and left the home
The Marine Parade home was advertised for a six-month lease at $750 per week from October
The woman’s death is being investigated. Officers have cordoned off the home (inside pictured) and were still at the scene late into the afternoon
Shortly after police arrived at the Marine Parade home (pictured), Woszatka was arrested on nearby Ruskin Rowe
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