Rhukaya Lake was allegedly murdered at home. A child raised the alarm.

A family has been left "shattered" and forced to imagine life without their mum and grandmother after she was allegedly killed in a suspected domestic violence incident in NSW's Hunter Valley region at the weekend.

Emergency services were called to a home in Kearsley, near Cessnock, about 7.30pm Friday.

Police arrived to find a 39-year-old woman dead inside with a gunshot wound.

The woman has been identified by media as Rhukaya Lake.

One of Rhukaya's children shared an emotional tribute online, saying she would be "forever in our hearts".

"This has absolutely shattered the whole family," they wrote.

"It's never gone (sic) be the same without you around!! I know you'll forever be looking down on every single one of us n i really hope we all make u proud.

"Youre grand baby's (sic) love you endlessly."

Rhukaya Lake's family say they're 'absolutely shattered' by her death. Image: Facebook.

Hunter Valley Superintendent Steve Laksa said the death of the woman had involved a "traumatic incident".

It's understood a child raised the alarm, running "some 300 to 400 metres" to flag down a passing car for help.

"Triple-0 was called and police then attended the scene, so it was quite horrific for family members, all involved," Laksa told reporters on Saturday.

Christopher James McLoughney, 37, was arrested at a sporting club car park near Bellbird on Saturday evening, following a tip-off from a member of the public, per ABC.

"Following the arrest, strike force detectives searched a parked Hyundai Tucson, locating and seizing a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition," police said.

He was taken to Cessnock Police Station where he was charged with murder, two counts of possessing a prohibited drug and possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm and ammunition without holding a licence.

McLoughney's lawyer appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Sunday. Bail was formally refused with the accused to remain behind bars until his next appearance in January, ABC reports.

Mamamia has contacted Rhukaya's family for comment.

Feature image: Facebook.