Friends pay tribute to 'beautiful, loyal' pregnant woman allegedly murdered by former partner with tomahawk on Gold Coast

It was meant to be the most exciting time of her life, but at just nine-weeks pregnant Fabiana Palhares was bludgeoned to death with a tomahawk, allegedly by the child's father.

Brock Wall has been charged with her murder and breaching a domestic violence order after the 34-year-old Gold Coast woman was found dead in her Varsity Lakes home.

Friends are now mourning the death of Ms Palhares and her unborn child, describing her as a beautiful woman who was extremely loyal.

"She was a very nice person, always happy, it's just devastating, it's just devastating," friend Giselle Reid said.

Ms Palhares had moved to Australia from Brazil 11 years ago and ran her own cleaning company.

She had only dated Mr Wall for a few months before they separated in early January.

Police say they are investigating her death as a "domestic incident" and today searched a Surfers Paradise unit where Mr Wall lived.

At the moment he only faces the two charges, but police are working on a third charge relating to the death of the unborn child.

That further charge could be laid in the coming days.

The case has been adjourned until May.

Amy Compton-Keen from the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Gold Coast urged women in violent​ situations to tell someone.

"It's not a simple answer, there's not one answer that will support someone to safety but what we press on women is to please contact someone," she said.

​If you or someone you know is in trouble call the Domestic Violence Hotline on 1800 811 811.