New Zealand family travelling to Sydney to identify body of murder victim

A New Zealand family is making their way to Australia after a Sydney man was found stabbed to death in his apartment.

Charlie Grace, 47, was found by a female friend in his unit located in Chifley, on Sydney's eastern beaches at 6.30pm (local time).

Emergency services and police soon arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area, the Daily Mail reports.

A resident who lives in the block of apartments told Nine News that police stormed up the unit stairs on arrival.

"The police ran straight up the stairs, we didn't know what was going on. Later on, they cordoned off the whole building and said something serious has happened," Nea Kennedy said.

Police said the victim had suffered "a number of injuries".

A 34-year-old man, who is also the victim's flatmate, was arrested on suspicion of stabbing Grace to death, but no charges have been laid.

A man (pictured) suspected of stabbing his flatmate to death with a knife at a public housing block is being questioned by police. Photo / Nine News

Police found a knife near a local pre-school, which is believed to be the murder weapon.

Mr Grace's family in New Zealand were notified by Sydney police about his death. They are now preparing to flying to Sydney today to formally identify his body.

The victim's niece describes Mr Grace as a devoted family man and says his parents were devastated over the shock loss.

"They're totally heartbroken, I've never seen my grandparents so fragile," she said.

Mr Grace had lived in Sydney for majority of his life.