The popular hairdresser was found dead in the northern beaches home yesterday, after receiving a report of an injured woman.
Neighbour Georgia Westwood told 9NEWS she could hear a scream from her balcony.
"I saw a man running down the road but I didn't really think anything of it," she said.
Lannell's son, 25-year-old Joel Woszatka, was later arrested nearby and later charged with his mother's murder.
Police are investigating whether drugs were involved in the crime, after reports of Woszatka's troubles.
Gemma Ward responded to the news, telling the Daily Telegraph that her “heart goes out to the family and all involved in this tragedy.”
“It’s heartbreaking news,” she added.
