A 27-year-old Sydney man charged with the murder of a Chinese international student has been confirmed to be the young woman's uncle.
Derek Barrett is married to the aunt of Mengmei "Michelle" Leng, whose naked body was found stabbed and dumped into a blowhole on the NSW Central Coast last Sunday.
The ABC reports Ms Leng was living at Barrett's home in Campsie at the time of her death.
"When the body was recovered from the water there [were] a number of injuries indicative of Michelle suffering a very violent attack," Detective Inspector Gary Jubelin said.
"We spoke to Michelle's auntie who she lives with, then I spoke to Michelle's brother by phone who she lives with in China.
"It's terrible news to deliver and you can understand how upset they were."
Ms Leng's mother has now arrived in Sydney from China.
Barrett has been denied bail since his arrest overnight and is expected to face Parramatta Bail Court later today.
Leng was captured by CCTV shopping on Pitt Street in Sydney's CBD about 3pm last Thursday.
She was last seen catching a train from St James Railway Station and arrived at Campsie Railway Station about 4.30pm.
Her last contact with friends was online late Thursday evening.
Detective Inspector Gary Jubelin said despite friends and family describing her disappearance as "very unusual" she was not formally reported missing until Monday, when a relative raised the alarm.
Her body was found at the Snapper Point blow hole on Sunday more than 100km away. She was naked and wearing no jewellery and had allegedly suffered stab wounds.
Her wounds led police to believe she had suffered "a violent assault prior to her death".
The Snapper Point area is frequented by tourists and rock fisherman, with a popular campsite nearby.
Investigators combed the area this week and retrieved undisclosed items from the water.
Leng has lived in Australia with relatives for the past five years.
"I don't think devastated properly describes it," he said, adding the geographical distance made the news especially traumatic.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
