A woman has been charged over the alleged murder of an elderly grandfather, who was found dead in his home last month. Peter McCarthy, 77, was discovered by emergency services five days prior to Christmas in his South Coogee apartment, after concerns were raised for his welfare. He had tragically died from severe head and facial injuries.

Over the following weeks, investigations were carried out, with detectives seizing a number of items relevant to the investigation, and on Monday afternoon Peter’s family finally got the answers they had been waiting for, with homicide squad detectives arresting a 46-year-old woman over his alleged murder in Sydney’s east, NSW Police revealed.

The woman, who was also Peter’s neighbour, was taken to the Maroubra Police Station and charged with murder and dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.

Nine News were at the scene to capture the arrest, with the woman claiming to reporters that she had nothing to do with the grandfather’s death. “Peter was my friend. I was there on my birthday,” she could be heard saying in the footage shared on social media. “I wouldn’t do that [kill him]. He’s my friend.”

Meanwhile, speaking about the arrest and charges laid on Monday, homicide squad commander Danny Doherty didn’t go into detail about any relationship between Peter and the woman, but did say she was known to the grandfather and lived nearby.

“What I can say is that there is significant forensic and physical evidence to make this a strong and compelling case,” he said in a press conference. “Mr McCarthy suffered severe head and facial injuries. It was a combination of physical violence and police will allege that in court; it was enough to kill Mr McCarthy.

“Items were missing from the unit, so robbery would be one of those things, but we don’t want to narrow ourselves to one motive.”

He also said Peter’s family had been informed of the arrest and said emotions were likely running high after going through such tragedy, during what is meant to be a joyful and happy festive season.

“I think it’s mixed emotions for them,” he told reporters. “They have just gone through Christmas without a father and a grandfather. It is a point where any arrest is welcome … they are still getting over the grief of losing Peter.”

The woman charged with his alleged murder is set to appear at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday. Meanwhile, investigations into Peter’s death continue.