Man to face court over Cairns murders

A north Queensland man is set to appear in court over the alleged murder of his wife and mother-in-law in Cairns.

The 43-year-old was arrested at the scene on Monday afternoon, after emergency services were called to a disturbance at a Gordonvale home and found the bodies of the two women.

The man's 17-year-old daughter also suffered minor wounds to her face and his 72-year-old father-in-law was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Detectives say the daughter was hurt trying to stop the attack.

Emergency service workers turned up to what could only be described as "a horrific blood-soaked scene," Detective Superintendent Ray Rohweder said on Tuesday.

A witness has described seeing the man laughing outside the house while police talked to him.

The 43-year-old was charged with two counts of murder and one count each of attempted murder, wounding and wilful damage on Tuesday afternoon and is expected to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday.