Children inside house at the time of Brisbane woman's murder

Police believe the daughters of a woman murdered in a home in Brisbane’s east were inside the house at the time and may have even heard the violent attack.

A 34-year-old woman was found beaten to death in the lounge room of her house on the corner of Adina Street and Milsom Street in Norman Park about 3.30am.

The entire street is now in lockdown and police want to speak to a friend of the victim, who is believed to have visited the house last night.

The woman’s 11-year-old and 12-year-old daughters are believed to have been asleep inside the home at the time of the attack and police say one may have woken up during the struggle.

Both girls have been taken from the scene by police for counselling.

Detective Inspector Rod Kemp said it's unclear what the girls heard or saw.

"Horrendous. It's their mother. Absolutely horrendous," Det Insp Kemp said.

"They're assisting and now our child protection experts are looking after them as we speak."

Detectives and forensic officers are still at the scene and are now searching the surrounding area in the belief that the offender may have left either by train or car.

Det Insp Kemp said a friend of the woman had visited the home earlier in the night.

The man was not an ex-partner of the woman.

"He's not a suspect, but we'd certainly like to speak to that person," he said.

He said police have no suspects at this stage.

There was no weapon involved, nor signs of extreme violence.

The woman also had a third daughter, aged 15, who lives with her grandmother.