Police hunt for wavy-haired man over double murder

POLICE say the slaying of an art curator and his daughter was not a random act and they are hunting for a man last seen outside the family's home in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

POLICE say the slaying of an art curator and his daughter was not a random act and they are hunting for a man last seen outside the family's home in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Nick Waterlow, 68, and his 37-year-old daughter Chloe, a cookbook author, were found dead of stab wounds in Ms Waterlow's Randwick home about 6pm (AEDT) yesterday, police said.

"It's an extremely traumatic and tragic event and my heart goes out to the whole family," Acting Chief Superintendent Geoff Beresford told reporters on Tuesday.

Ms Waterlow's husband, digital consultant Ben Heuston, is flying back from London to Sydney.

Three small children were at the property when the bodies were found - a four-year-old boy, a two-and-a-half-year-old girl and a four-month-old boy.

The young girl was rushed to hospital suffering a cut to her throat.

Supt Beresford said police believe the killing was not a random act.

"We do have a person of interest in mind," he said.

Police are looking for a man who was last seen walking away from Ms Waterlow's home in a southerly direction on Monday evening.

The man is described as about 40 years of age, 182 to 190 centimetres tall, of fit build and with dark wavy hair.

Police have asked members of the public to not approach him and to ring triple-0 if they see him.

Asked if this was a domestic incident, Supt Beresford said, "That's certainly a line of inquiry and the person we are seeking may be able to assist further in that regard."

Meanwhile, the Sydney art community has expressed sorrow for the loss of English-born Mr Waterlow, who migrated to Australia in 1977.

He was the curator of the Ivan Dougherty Gallery in Darlinghurst and three times curator of the Biennale of Sydney.

University of NSW College of Fine Arts Dean, Professor Ian Howard, said he was devastated to hear news of Mr Waterlow's death.

"It has come as a total shock to the staff, students and the art community," Prof Howard said.

"It's beyond belief and beyond reason that such a person of high standing, of such respect, could meet this tragic end."

Biennale of Sydney chief executive Marah Braye said she was deeply saddened to hear the news.

"Nick Waterlow was an esteemed curator of far reaching reputation, who commanded international respect and the highest regard of his peers," Ms Braye said.

Sydney gallery owner Damien Minton said Mr Waterlow was an instrumental player in the Australian visual arts community.

"At least two generations of gallery owners and arts administrators scattered around Australia can really thank Nick Waterlow for their careers," Mr Minton said.

Ms Waterlow was a former ABC employee and co-wrote the cook book Celebrity Homecooked with Dylan Brookes.