Man charged after woman’s body was found in home owned by supermodel Gemma Ward

THE son of a woman found stabbed to death in a supermodel’s home is appearing in court this morning on a murder charge.

SUPERMODEL Gemma Ward says she is heartbroken after a mother-of-two was allegedly killed in the star’s northern beaches rental home yesterday.

Detectives were last night questioning one of the sons of Lanell Latta, 50, who was found dead in the clifftop property on Marine Pde, Avalon, at 10.45am after neighbours heard screams.

Joel Woszatka, 25, was arrested less than 30 minutes later just a couple of kilometres away in Ruskin Rowe as police helicopters and cars rushed to the scene in the usually idyllic beachside suburb.

Last night Woszatka was charged with murder.

Ms Latta has been identified as the woman found stabbed to death at Avalon.

Gemma Ward bought the Avalon home, where the woman’s body was found, for $1.6 million and has been renting it out.

Ms Latta and her two sons were already renting the rundown beach house, with Joel living in the garage, when Ward bought it last year for $1.6 million and they stayed on as tenants.

“My heart goes out to the family and all involved in this tragedy. It’s heartbreaking news,” Ward told The Daily Telegraph.

Joel Woszatka will appear in court today.

The rundown home sold last year for $1.6 million. Picture: REA

The model’s partner David Letts said they were not close to Ms Latta’s family but he had been surfing with her other son, Levon, and shared dinner with them six months ago. “She was such a sweet woman, it’s just a tragedy,” Mr Letts said.

Tributes poured in for the “beautiful” woman as stunned neighbours revealed the shocking screams that could be heard from the house. Craig Westwood said the quiet street was stunned.

Forensic workers arrive to a house in Marine Parade in Avalon after the body of Lanell Latta was found on Monday. Picture: AAP

Neighbours said they heard screams shortly before Ms Latta was killed. Picture: AAP

The body of Lanell Latta was found at a northern beaches home owned by supermodel Gemma Ward. Picture: Nine News

“I didn’t know what happened until my daughter texted me. She was home and heard the screaming,” Mr Westwood said. “It’s horrible in a neighbourhood like this, it’s pretty quiet.”

Police quickly cordoned off the upmarket street, which runs down to Avalon beach.

Georgia Westwood, 18, was sitting on the veranda of her family’s Marine Pde home when she saw a man walk along the street, then turn and retrace his steps.

Moments later she heard a scream.

Grieving members of the public turn up to the scene. Adam Yip/ Manly Daily

Ms Latta was described as a lovely woman. Picture: Adam Yip

“It wasn’t really loud but it sounded like someone in distress,” she said. “I thought it was just a family argument or something.”

Ms Latta’s family members were overcome with emotion as they arrived at the home.

“She was the most adorable person you could ever meet,” one close friend said.

In Ruskin Rowe, Liam Pickles, 23, was working on a property when Mr Woszatka was arrested.

“The cops were frantic,” Mr Pickles said. “I could hear cop car sirens and everything. There were about three police choppers in the air and they started getting closer to this area. That’s when I took notice of them.”

Ward and Letts have been living between Newport and Byron Bay and had not seen their tenants in six months.