The suspected murder of a young interstate woman visiting a friend has left a small, normally peaceful town on Tasmania's north-west coast reeling.
The 23-year-old woman, who was found dead by police about 3:00am on Tuesday, had been visiting from interstate.
Police said her friend, who was in the house with her two young children, raised the alarm and was now receiving counselling.
The identity of the woman, whose body was found with stab wounds, has not been released.
Police said her family was "obviously distraught" when notified on Tuesday morning.
Ulverstone hugs the picturesque coastline against Bass Strait and has a population of about 14,500, made up of many young families, those seeking a quieter lifestyle and elderly residents.
Ann Bailey has lived in Ulverstone since she was a child and her mother is among the older residents on the street where the woman was stabbed.
Ms Bailey said she could not believe such an event could happen in the quiet coastal town.
"It's very distressing … on a quiet street where a lot of older people live, including my mother, it's just tragic," she said.
The friend, whose children are aged two and three, called triple-0 after she saw a person in the house.
"I really feel for the family … it's just terrible," Ms Bailey said.
"I just can't even put it into words … to have a life taken for probably no necessity … what a senseless thing to do."
Counselling available for community
Kat Rose grew up in the town and works at the Ulverstone Neighbourhood House.
She said the news has hit the community hard.
"It's a tragic day for Ulverstone … it could have happened anywhere and we're really thinking of the families involved," she said.
Ms Rose said counselling services were available at the centre for those struggling.
Mark Holwill from Glenhaven Family Care in Ulverstone said the event would be something many would struggle with and talk about for some time.
"It's extremely sad … in any community when this happens, it's sad news," he said.
"This isn't something that happens often in the north-west."
Glenhaven Family Care is a Christian-based community organisation that offers emergency and respite care for children.
"If there is any fall out from this and people need support, we're here and we can help," Mr Holwill said.
Police have arrested a man who lived in the same street and are questioning him in relation to the suspected murder.
It's not known if he will be charged or if further arrests will be made.
Police said there appears to be no known connection between the two people.
The investigation is continuing, with a third house on Main Street cordoned off and police seen searching through garden beds.
Tasmania Police are urging anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area at the time to call 131 444.
