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Rockhampton man Portmoresbey Cecil charged with domestic violence murder of 71yo

Portmoresbey Cecil from Rockhampton has been charged with one count of murder, as a domestic violence offence. (Supplied: Facebook)

A central Queensland man has appeared in court for the first time after being charged with the murder of a 71-year-old woman in Rockhampton on Sunday afternoon.

It is alleged the man, Portmoresbey Cecil, 35, from Frenchville and the alleged victim were known to each other.

Police were called to an address in West Street, Allenstown just before 4pm on Sunday, where the body of Susan Margaret Duffy was found.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Capricornia detective acting inspector Luke Peachey said police were investigating three crime scenes.

Those included the home where the alleged murder occurred, the home of the accused, and the accused's vehicle.

"We'll be combing through those over the next day or so and we hope to release those in the near future," Detective Peachey said.

"We'll be trying to piece together in the upcoming days how this tragic event has occurred."

Police attended a West Street address on Sunday afternoon. (ABC News: Katrina Beavan)

Tragic incident

Detective Peachey confirmed the woman had received substantial injuries from a 'bladed instrument' during the incident.

He said a distraught family member of the deceased later called triple-0.

"[It is] a very tragic event, and not a nice scene for obviously the family or the officers and emergency services who responded," Detective Peachey said.

"For a 71-year-old woman to meet her end like that, it's not good for anyone.

"We really reach out to the family and pass on our condolences and all those involved."

While investigations continue, Mr Cecil was charged with one count of murder as a domestic violence offence.

He appeared in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court this morning.

A brief of evidence was requested, and Mr Cecil was remanded in custody.

The matter has been adjourned until November 16.

A crime scene was declared after police located the body of a woman in her 70s. (ABC News: Katrina Beavan)
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