The mother of Kirra-Lea McLoughlin says she feels "like a black cloud has lifted" after charges were laid over her daughter's death.
This morning police arrested a 40-year-old man over the alleged 2014 murder of Ms McLoughlin near Gympie.
Ms McLoughlin died after suffering a severe head injury at her Beenham Valley Road home at Wolvi on July 17 at about 3.30pm.
She was transported to the Gold Coast University Hospital where she was pronounced dead the following day.
Ms McLoughlin's mother, Allison Russell, told the ABC news of the arrest had taken a weight off her shoulders.
"I am totally gobsmacked, but strangely relieved and feel like a giant black cloud has been lifted from over me," she said.
Last year a coronial inquest at Gympie found Ms McLoughlin died from swelling of the brain caused by an obstruction of air or blood.
Following the inquest, the Queensland Police Homicide Investigation Unit established an investigation centre in Gympie, which officers said led to this morning's arrest.
Death caused by alleged 'assault'
Regional Crime Coordinator Detective Acting Superintendent Ben Fadian said police would allege Ms McLoughlin "suffered severe injuries after being assaulted in her home on the 17th of July, 2014".
"We're in a strong position to present a good case to the courts," he said.
Detective Acting Superintendent Fadian said the coronial inquest had been a highly valuable process for investigators.
"The coroner was able to exercise additional powers that were not available to the police," he said.
"This resulted in key witnesses being identified and interviewed, witnesses who were previously interviewed and reinterviewed, exhibits being re-examined, and additional expert medical evidence being obtained.
When questioned about the length of time it took police to make an arrest, Detective Acting Superintendent Fadian said homicide investigations could not be "rushed".
"I understand people's frustration with it, but the onus is upon us to get it right," he said.
"With the coronial findings, there was no adverse comments made about the Queensland Police investigation of the matter and we are comfortable with the investigation we completed."
The man was remanded in custody to reappear in court next month.
