Katie Haley’s body was discovered by police shortly after 11pm in her home in her home at Diggers Rest, approximately 33km northwest of Melbourne’s CBD, on Friday night. Her devastated family said she was touched by “an act of evil”.

Shane Robertson is accused of fatally striking 29-year-old Katherine Haley in the head with a blunt object at her home on Friday night.

On Sunday morning, Robertson appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court where his lawyer told magistrate Robert Kumar that he urgently needed to see a psychiatric nurse.

“I am concerned about his mental state. There’s some suicidal ideation,” she said. “I have concerns of self-harm.”

On Sunday, the thin young man appeared dishevelled in the court dock, dressed in a black T-shirt and trousers with dyed hair.

The court was told it was Robertson’s first time in custody. He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody to reappear in court on Tuesday for a filing hearing.

He had previously appeared in an out-of-sessions court hearing on Saturday night charged with murder, and said he had cuts to his arm, the Herald Sun reports.

A summary read out by police said Robertson had admitted to being involved in Ms Haley’s death.

In a statement posted on Saturday morning, Victoria Police confirmed “a 28-year-old man was arrested in relation to the incident” and “is currently in custody assisting police with their inquiries”.

“The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be established and the investigation is ongoing.”

According to the pair’s Facebook pages, they had been in a relationship since August of 2014.

Ms Haley’s “distraught” family described their pain to the Herald Sun, telling the publication in a statement: “Last night an act of pure evil touch our family. She did not deserve what happened to her.

“Our beautiful Katie girl, not only did we lose a much-loved daughter and sister, but two precious children lost their beautiful mother.”

Neighbours didn’t report hearing any signs of violence on the night the 29-year-old mother of two died but noticed the usually quiet couple had been swearing and screaming at each other.

“I heard nothing last night but during the week I’ve heard a lot of arguing,” Neighbour Terry Parnis said.

“Screaming and swearing from both of them. We’re really worried about their kids.”

Robertson was assisting police after being arrested in Sunbury, approximately 42km northwest of Melbourne’s CBD.

It is believed the couple’s two children were taken to their grandparent’s house after their mother’s death.

“My heart breaks for your family ... and most of all my heart beaks for such a beautiful person and mother gone too soon and so unnecessarily,” one friend posted on Facebook.

“I will miss your face and all our nail dates, RIP forever beautiful. Katie Haley shine bright.”

- Anyone with information is urged contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.