A man has been charged with murder after an 18-year-old woman was found dead at a home in Maitland in the New South Wales Hunter Valley.
Police were called to the home on Galway Crescent in Metford shortly after 1:30am where they spoke to 20-year-old Jordan Brodie Miller at the property's front yard.
Police then found Emerald Wardle's dead body inside the home.
A neighbour has described Ms Wardle as "a lovely girl" from the "small, loving, quiet neighbourhood".
"We are all shocked and very sad."
Mr Miller was arrested after a "short scuffle" and taken to Maitland Police Station, police said.
Police said the pair were known to each other and in a domestic relationship.
They were not previously known to police.
A crime scene has been established at the home as police investigate.
The cause of death remains unknown.
Detective Inspector Ranald Urquhart from the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District said Mr Miller had been co-operating with police since his arrest.
He appealed for anyone with any information to contact Maitland Police Station or Crime Stoppers.
"Police obviously take a domestic violence situation very seriously and I would ask people to report any incidents of domestic violence to the police," he said.
"Domestic violence can involve people of all ages."
Mr Miller was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Sunday.
