11-08-2025
Horror after 'pioneering' house painter is found dead in her home in 'quiet' suburb - as her partner is arrested
A woman has been found dead inside her home, while her partner has been arrested, with neighbours left shocked by discovery in their quiet suburb.
House painter Zoe Walker, 38, was found inside her home on Seaby Avenue at Upper Ferntree Gully, in Melbourne 's east, just before 8am on Sunday.
Her partner Daniel Horanyi, 46, was arrested at the scene and will be interviewed by detectives.
Ms Walker died nine years after she lost her younger brother Tyson in 2016.
Her father Robert Walker described his daughter as 'full of life' and revealed that she ran a small business called Zoe's Painting.
'She was a pioneer in her field,' he told 7News.
'She struggled on in her trade, which is hard for women to be in.
'Every job, even the ones she wasn't familiar with, she had to prove herself, whereas other males didn't have too and she had to struggle, but she did it.'
One local described the area as 'quiet' while another said they were 'shocked' by the news.
'I have never seen a police car. Never heard any noise,' he said.
'I never heard the police cars arrive. It was only when I went out about 3.30pm or 4pm that I saw the police cars were there with the tape.'
Mr Walker said his daughter had been working hard every day to 'pay her mortgage'.
In July, Ms Walker celebrated her graduation from Swinburne University of Technology, where she completed a Certificate III in General Construction (Painting and Decorating).
'Qualified since 2014 through apprenticeships,' she wrote.
'How times have changed!'
Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.
