Rachael Elizabeth Boyd was not required to enter a plea and was remanded in custody to appear at Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on February 8.

She has been charged with the alleged murder of Trent John Panizza who was found with a fatal stab wound to the chest on Saturday night.

Police charged Miss Boyd with murder after they were called to a home on Leschenault Parade in Australind shortly before 7pm.

St John paramedics attempted to resuscitate Mr Panizza who was found in the kitchen/living area of the home the couple shared before he was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

According to South West Detective Senior Sergeant Jon Munday, Miss Boyd dialled 000 after allegedly stabbing Mr Panizza once in the chest with a 25cm filleting knife. It was unknown if she was acting in self-defence.

The couple was not known to police and was not known to have had a history of violence.

Detective Munday said police were still trying to piece together the events which took place before the alleged murder occurred.

“At this point in time we still don’t know what exactly happened in the lead up … obviously there has been some kind of confrontation or disturbance,” he said.

“We are trying to build a bigger picture and a better picture as to how these two people lived … [and] any indicators of how this happened.”

The couple were alone in the house at the time and Mr Munday said it was unlikely the charge of murder would be downgraded.

Miss Boyd was interviewed by police soon after Mr Panizza was pronounced dead and according to Detective Munday there was enough evidence to charge her with murder.

“It would appear it is not pre-meditated … but is something we are looking into,” Detective Munday said.

Forensics is currently at the scene and was expected to be there for the next day or so.

Mr Panizza’s family is said to be devastated over the sudden death of their son who worked in his family-owned business, the Dardanup Butchering Company.