Man charged with murder after woman’s body found in bath in North Parramatta

A man charged with murdering a 19-year-old woman whose body was found in a bath in a western Sydney apartment has not applied for bail.

Meraj Zafar, 20, did not appear in person or via video link in Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday when his matter was mentioned for the first time before magistrate Shane McAnulty.

Police allege Zafar murdered Armina Hayat between Saturday and Sunday at North Parramatta, according to court documents.

His lawyer Mohamad Sakr told the magistrate there would be no application for bail on Tuesday but perhaps later on "in due course".

Outside court, Sakr confirmed his client and Hayat had been in a relationship.

"He's distraught about being in custody, it's just a matter of whether he wishes to fight these charges or not," Sakr said outside.

Police found the woman's body in the bathroom with hazardous chemicals on Sunday afternoon after forcing their way into the unit.

Specialist hazmat officers from fire and rescue also attended the scene.

Police Supt Julie Boon said police who were checking on her welfare found "a very confronting scene" in the bathroom

"It was an absolutely awful scene," she told 2GB on Tuesday.

On Monday police appealed for information before the 20-year-old man handed himself in at Bankstown Police Station, where he was arrested.

A truck was found shortly after in nearby Greenacre and was seized for forensic examination.

His matter is next due before court on 5 April.