Police say officers were met with a "confronting crime scene" after discovering the bodies of a couple inside a Sydney boarding house.
The bodies of Steven Finlay, 52, and his partner Mitch Watson, 32, were found in a room at a Redfern boarding house late on Saturday night.
So far, no details about the couple's cause of death have been released, though police do not believe a firearm was used.
A strike force set up to investigate the case arrested Christopher Bouggas on Monday afternoon and charged him with two counts of murder.
Police allege the 41-year-old lives at the same premises as the victims, and that all three men were known to each other.
He was arrested yesterday at a dwelling on Cleveland Street, Redfern — the same premises where the two men were found — before being charged at Mascot Police Station.
Detective Superintendent Rodney Hart said the investigation into the alleged double murder was still in its infancy.
"It was a very difficult and confronting crime scene … both of the males had suffered significant injuries," Detective Superintendent Hart said.
"One of the victims was on the phone to triple-0 whilst police were en-route to assist.
"The complex is a two-terrace unit side by side which has been converted into a boarding house with access from the rear yard."
Detective Superintendent Hart said a number of items had been seized for forensic examination, and a post-mortem was underway.
Motive would form "one of the main lines of inquiry" throughout the police investigation, he said.
A neighbour and acquaintance of the victims, Michael Hannan, described Mr Finlay as a "pleasant fellow".
"He was very nice. He'd lived here for many years with his boyfriend," he said.
"The younger man, he didn't like people talking to him … he was a bit shy."
He said the pair never let anyone into their room.
"They wouldn't let anyone in … not even the landlord," he said.
Nearby resident Steven Martin said he had heard yelling on the night it happened.
"I was up most of the night … none of us knew what was going on," he said.
Mr Martin said he was now concerned about living in the neighbourhood.
"I'm worried because I live in the one up and opposite."
Another neighbour, Adam Pearce, said commotions in the area were not out of the ordinary.
Mr Bouggas was not present at his first court appearance, but his lawyer Mostafa Daoudie confirmed his client did not intend to apply for bail, which was formally refused.
The case will be back before the court on March 29.
