Tuggerah Lakes police were called to the house in Sonoma Road, Budgewoi, about 12.15am on Wednesday after receiving reports that a woman had been severely injured.

They found the body of the woman, believed to have been in her 40s or 50s. She is still to be formally identified.

Residents of the street said they were shocked to find police cars and detectives all over their neighbourhood.

"There's police cars everywhere; there's never any problems at all on this street," said Neville Mackellar, who has lived in the street for 35 years. "It's always very quiet."

Resident Margaret Wright, who has known Mr Weigand for the past two decades, said: "They said [the victim] was unrecognisable.

"Since his mum and dad passed away, he lived in the house here by himself.

"Then he met [the victim] at a social gathering for those with an intellectual disability  and they would play pokies together."

"I saw them together yesterday afternoon," Mrs Wright said.

"They were pushing the trolley and bringing back shopping. He was on his bike carrying a few beers. [The victim] would always say hello.

"She was a little bit strange but very nice, very quiet."

Mrs Wright said that Mr Weigand was illiterate and "a little bit odd".

"I used to have to read his mail for him, then he would ask me to read the newspaper," Mrs Wright said.

"Sometimes I would help him iron his shirts before he went down to the local surf lifesaving club. He was a long-term member down there.

"I got the shock of my life this morning."

Mrs Wright said that the pair had lived together for the past 12 months.

"Before then he had several girls coming over."

Mr Mackellar said that Mr Weigand had a mental impairment that prevented him from having a regular job, but that he did odd jobs around the neighbourhood to make ends meet.

"He was a good, honest, hard working young chap."

After being arrested, Mr Weigand was taken to Wyong Hospital. He was then transferred to Wyong police station where he was charged with murder.

He was refused bail and is due to appear in Wyong Local Court on Wednesday.