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ABC News
National
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Man charged with murder after woman's body found at luxury Sunshine Coast resort on Valentine's Day

Vanessa Godfrey was found dead in a hotel room on the Sunshine Coast. Jeffrey Godfrey is charged with her murder. (Supplied: Facebook)

Sunshine Coast police are investigating the death of a 46-year-old woman who was found "covered in blood" at a luxury golfing resort yesterday afternoon.

Jeffrey James Godfrey, 50, of Bli Bli, has been charged with the murder of Vanessa Godfrey, a mother-of-two from Gunnedah in New South Wales.

The matter was heard in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court this morning and he has been remanded in custody until May 6.

Detective Inspector David Drinnen said the pair had been staying at the Pelican Waters Resort where they attended a social function at the weekend.

He said the alarm was raised when they did not check out on Monday morning.

Staff found the deceased woman when they conducted a welfare check at the room.

"When they undertook that they found a female deceased on the bed in the room and there was another unconscious male in the room.

"She was covered in blood and there were also some wounds on her arms."

He said the Queensland Ambulance Service was called to the scene.

The man was conscious and "able to speak" with paramedics when they arrived, he said.

The luxury Pelican Waters resort where staff found the woman's body. (Supplied)

Detective Inspector Drinnen said police suspected a weapon was used and a forensic examination was underway.

"We also will have an autopsy which will not only give us the cause of death, but will allow us to understand how that death was caused."

Officers will also speak to those who were at the event over the weekend.

Police alleged the couple were in an "intimate" relationship and said they have had "very limited dealings" with them in the past.

'Tragic' incident

Hotel guest Melanie Ridgeway said there were four police cars and ambulances at the premises when she returned to the resort from collecting her children from school. 

"I just wanted to make sure the kids were all right and didn't want them to witness too much," Ms Ridgeway said.

Detective Inspector Drinnen said the incident was a tragedy and would have been "horrific" for the staff who found the pair.

Detective Inspector Drinnen briefed media this morning. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Amy Sheehan)

"There's going to be a lot of mourning.

"There needs to be support built around all family members in relation to this.

"We don't want to see the loss of any life but when it's happening in your own backyard, it's tragic."

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