Troy James appears in court for extradition hearing, set to be charged with murder of Rachel Moresi in Mount Gambier

A man to be charged with the murder of a Mount Gambier woman has appeared in court, as her friends say a special “code word” for trouble was never used.

Friends of a Mount Gambier woman found dead in her unit say they never heard a special “blue knickers” code word they’d created to warn each other of trouble around the time she died.

Troy James, 53, of Mount Gambier, appeared before the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon where he did not fight an extradition order to SA, after being arrested in Portland, Victoria, on Thursday, over Rachel Moresi’s death.

The court heard police had authorised a murder charge but Mr James had not been formally charged at the time of his court appearance. He will be moved to the Mount Gambier police station.

Troy Earle James, 53, is outside Warrnambool Magistrates Court. Picture: 7NEWS

Rachel Moresi was found deceased at her Mount Gambier home. Picture:7NEWS

The court heard he had used meth in the past week and was taken to hospital on Thursday night after a self-harm incident.

Ms Moresi, 55, was found dead in her Pick Ave, Mount Gambier, unit just after 1pm on Wednesday by her carer and police were quickly called.

Investigations are continuing into her death. Police say Mr James and Ms Moresi were known to each other.

Following Thursday’s arrest, close friends of Ms Moresi told The Advertiser they were emotional and angry.

Nicole, who asked to be identified by her first name, said she was relieved an arrest was made quickly.

“We’re relieved that it’s happened so quickly and we’ve got answers but I don’t understand how someone can hurt her like that, how he could just take someone’s life like it’s nothing,” she said. “We want to see justice for Rachel.”

Flowers have been laid in tribute to Rachel Moresi, whose body was discovered at her Mount Gambier home on Wednesday. Picture: Supplied

“I’m hoping he makes it easy for everyone else and admits what he’s done.”

Justine, a close friend and neighbour of the victim, said loved ones were “shocked”.

“We are emotional,” she said.

Justine said she briefly heard voices next door on Tuesday night but didn’t hear their code word - blue knickers - she and Ms Moresi had created to indicate there was trouble “so I thought everything was all right”.

“A lot of people would take her kindness for granted,” she said.

According to her friends, Mr James was the ex-partner of Ms Moresi.

“He treated Rachel badly when they were in the relationship,” Nicole said.

“That’s why she left.”

Tributes have been pouring in for the 55-year-old mum and bouquets of flowers had been laid by a tree in her front yard.

Friend Gwen Dellacruz said Ms Moresi had a bubbly personality, while Justine described her as smart and loving.

“She was … pretty cool, pretty down to earth too,” she said.

Nicole said it was going to be hard for loved ones to move on.

“We love her and miss her,” she said. “It’s going to be hard for us because she was such a big part of our life.”

Mr James is due to appear in Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Monday, where police say he’s expected to be charged with murder.

Originally published as Troy James appears in court for extradition hearing, set to be charged with murder of Rachel Moresi in Mount Gambier