A Symonston man has faced court over the alleged murder of his mother's partner.
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Jeffrey David Lee, 45, has been charged with the murder of Neal Keith Wilkinson in his Wanniassa home on Tuesday night.
He had suffered significant blunt force trauma injuries to his head.
Lee, 45, was arrested him on Wednesday and wore a white forensic jumpsuit when he appeared before the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon
He entered no plea and made no application for bail during the short appearance.
The court heard his mental health had been assessed during his time in custody and he was marked as a prisoner at risk.
Magistrate Maria Doogan noted concerns centred on his recent drug use.
Lee will reappear before the court again in April.
A woman, 68, who police described as an invalid, was also found unhurt in a bedroom of the home.
It is understood Mr Wilkinson was the woman's de facto partner and carer.
She remains under observation in hospital.
Police launched a homicide investigation after Mr Wilkinson's death and on Wednesday launched a wide-scale search for the accused from a nearby reserve.
They said the death was an isolated incident and no members of the public had been in danger before the man's arrest.
He was found in O'Connor and police said he co-operated when he was taken into custody about 3pm.
ACT Policing Detective Sergeant Stephen Ladd said at the time that the man was helping detectives with their inquiries. The murder charge was laid on Thursday morning.
He would not be drawn on the relationship between the two men, except to say they knew each other.
Crime scene investigators combed the Wanniassa house and surrounding areas for evidence and seized several items in the hours after the alleged murder.
Markers dotted on the ground around the crime scene read "urine" and "wooden handle".
Forensic investigators continued to sift through evidence and the house remained taped off on Thursday.
The RSPCA was called in to collect a female cat found at the crime scene.
They said the couple had lived in the home for more than 20 years and were rarely seen outside.
