A man has been charged with the alleged murder of Dannielle Finlay-Jones, a day after being arrested following a 12-hour stand-off with police.
Ashley Gaddie, 33, was arrested on a cliff face in the Blue Mountains on Tuesday, two days after Ms Finlay-Jones, 31, was found with serious head injuries at a friend's home in Western Sydney.
Police said she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Gaddie was charged at Katoomba police station, refused bail, and his case was mentioned in court on Wednesday.
At Penrith Local Court, Mr Gaddie's lawyer said he was intent to not appear on the audio-visual link, and that he was instructed not to consent to a forensic procedure involving a swab.
There was no application for bail and the case was adjourned until March.
Blue Mountains police officers attended Fletchers Lookout at Wentworth Falls at about 12:30pm on Tuesday, where they located Mr Gaddie on the wrong side of safety barriers, and requested the assistance of specialist police resources.
Police negotiators attended and engaged the Five Dock man in conversation, before he was arrested at about 12am on Wednesday.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said investigators were still trying to piece together what led to Ms Finlay-Jones's death.
"I think we're early days in the investigation ... I think there's some complexity in that," he said.
"Investigators, working with homicide investigators, are working through that now."
Ms Finlay-Jones's family has issued a statement through NSW Police asking for privacy.
For 25 years, she played soccer for Ramsgate RSL Football Club.
"[Dannielle] was such an amazing lady who [has] done so much for her community," fellow soccer player Brie Lemusu said.
"She was the most kind-hearted woman I have met … who brought smiles to everyone's face.
"She always put her team before herself."
Ms Finlay-Jones was a senior vice-president at the soccer club.
"The news of her passing has left us all in a state of shock and disbelief," Ramsgate RSL Football Club posted on its Facebook.
"Her tireless and unselfish commitment to football within the community, particularly women's football, will be sorely missed and her legacy will be everlasting."
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said they were "deeply saddened" by the loss.
Ms Finlay-Jones worked as a school learning support officer.
"Our sincere condolences and deepest sympathies go to her family and friends," the department spokesperson said.
"Counselling and wellbeing support is being provided to staff affected by this tragedy."
Police Minister Paul Toole said he was shocked by the "horrible incident", and praised the work of investigating officers.
