Court scuffle in ACT axe murder case

Distraught family members of an axe murder victim had to be physically restrained in a Canberra court as they yelled abuse at the accused.

Marcus Rappel, 40, fronted ACT Magistrates Court on Monday charged with the murder of 28-year-old Tara Costigan.

He is also charged with contravening a domestic violence protection order, assault occasioning bodily harm and recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Family members of the victim yelled out "you f***ing animal" and "rot in hell" at the end of Rappel's court appearance where he was remanded in custody.

Police found the woman's body, with an axe beside it, in the laundry of an apartment in the suburb of Calwell on Saturday afternoon.

The woman had suffered severe head injuries, police said.

Neighbours had alerted police following a disturbance at the residence.

Rappel did not apply for bail and the matter has been adjourned until March 17.