Son Charged With Stabbing Murder Of Mum At Home Of Aussie Model Gemma Ward

The son of a 50-year-old woman who was stabbed to death in a Sydney home owned by Aussie model Gemma Ward has been charged with her murder.

The body of 50-year-old hairdresser Lanell Latta was found in the two-bedroom beach house Ward owns with her husband David Letts, on Marine Parade in Avalon, on Monday morning.

Police made the grisly discovery at about 10.45am, after responding to calls from neighbours who reported hearing screams.

Latta’s 25-year-0ld son, Joel Woszatka, was arrested less than 30 minutes later and taken to Manly Police Station for questioning, where he was later charged with murder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Lanell Latta was found dead in model Gemma Ward’s Avalon home.

Ward is believed to have been renting the $1.6m home to Latta and her son, who lived in a garage out the back, while she lives with her parents-in-law in the neighbouring Northern Beaches suburb of Newport.

The Perth-born model – who has walked the catwalks of international designers for years – told the Daily Telegraph she was heartbroken at the news.

“My heart goes out to the family and all involved in this tragedy. It’s heartbreaking news.”

Letts, her partner, said they weren’t overly familiar with Latta and her family but that he’d gone surfing with her other son, Levon, and shared dinner with them six months ago.

Woszatka will appear at Manly Local Court later today.

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