The popular hairdresser was well known in the close knit Avalon community, where she was renting a $1.6 million beach house owned by model Gemma Ward.

Ms Latta's son, Joel Woszatka, 25, has been charged with her murder.

Friends of the 50-year-old, who worked at the Palm Beach Salon where she specialised in hair extensions, described her as a "beautiful soul" and an "angel".

"The world has lost a beautiful soul in Lanell," friend Chris Duffy wrote on her Facebook page.

"She was taken from us way too early, in tragic circumstances, and I'm sure that all of us who knew her, will miss her dearly.

"Today is not about the who's and why's, today is about remembering a beautiful person. R.I.P Lanell."

???Childhood friend Kylie Kerr-Dawkins wrote: "RIP. Dear Lanell Latta, I had some great times as a teenage girl hanging with this lovely lady.

"So very sad, sending prayers, and deep condolences to her family and friends. She will be missed by everyone she came in contact with."

Leanne Kellett wrote: "Another angel leaves us way too soon. Forever in our hearts and memories."

Model Gemma Ward, who bought the Marine Parade house last year, also paid tribute to the mother of three adult children.

"My heart goes out to the family and all involved in this tragedy," she said. "It's heartbreaking news."

Ward's partner, photographer David Letts, told media he did not know the family well but had surfed with Ms Latta's other son Levon Woszatka.

"She was such a sweet woman, it's just a tragedy," Mr Letts said.

Ms Latta had spent time in Byron Bay but raised her family on Sydney's northern beaches with her children attending Barrenjoey High School.

Her father is the prominent surfer and board shaper Frank Latta, who died while catching waves at Nambucca Heads on the NSW north coast in 2010.

Australia's first surfing champion, Midget Farrelly, paid tribute to the 63-year-old surfing champion at the time

"I regarded Frank as the real thing, the genuine article, the real goods," he told Fairfax Media.

"His competitive nature in the water was really interesting; he had the ability to win but he didn't have to tread on your toes to do it."

Mr Woszatka was taken to Manly police station, where he was charged with murder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He was refused bail and did not appear in Manly Local Court on Tuesday as his case was adjourned to September 26.

Police are investigating whether drugs may have been a factor in the tragedy, reported Nine News.