Police have named the woman killed at a Kapiti retirement village on Tuesday as 70-year-old Edith Rodrique, of Otaki.
The 75-year-old man accused of her murder appeared in court on Wednesday morning.
Police and forensic investigators expect to complete their scene examination at Raumati Beach's Coastal Villas on Friday.
Glen Sowry, chief executive of Metlifecare, which owns the village, says he's in shock.
"It was disbelief. It's difficult to imagine an incident like this occurring anywhere, but at a retirement village? It's just not something you ever expect."
He flew down from Auckland to support residents and staff on Wednesday.
"[We're] hearing what they have to say and talking about what they're experiencing, and essentially doing what we can to provide support during this very difficult time."
Police wouldn't discuss the nature of the relationship between the two people. Newshub understands Ms Rodrique was visiting her alleged attacker "in a personal capacity".
Police won't say how she died, but the male resident isn't known to have been violent in the past.
"Certainly not to our knowledge," Mr Sowry said.
The man didn't enter a plea at Porirua District Court. He was granted interim name suppression and the judge ordered a mental health report into whether he's fit to stand trial.
The man was remanded in custody to appear in Wellington High Court later this month.
Newshub.
