A grandson of a beloved grandmother allegedly killed in a horrific attack says he is struggling to pick up the pieces of his life while coping with the loss of the woman who raised him.

Diane Elaine Harkess, 77, was found dead in the loungeroom of her single-level unit on Melissa Cl, at Bateau Bay on the Central Coast, about 9.30pm on August 24 by one of her grandsons, who only wishes to be identified by his first name, Kain.

“I saw the catastrophe, the horrificness (sic), I screamed,” the 28-year-old recalled, describing the scene when he first entered the house.

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He called the experience as “traumatic”.

Kain told 7NEWS.com.au the house was dark but he realised something was wrong when he saw a shape on the ground.

When Kain turned on the lights in the house, he discovered it was his grandmother lying dead on the floor.

Kain said he saw her “half-scorched” body, several alleged injuries, body fluid nearby, and white chip rocks scattered on the floor beneath a damaged roof.

Kain said Harkess was like a mother to him. Credit: Supplied

He then realised “everything was burnt” and the shower was still running.

Despite the fire already having burnt out, Kain said he was choking on carbon monoxide when he called triple-0.

Firefighters later said the blaze in Harkess’ home had extinguished by itself.

“It’s not common, but it’s not unheard of, that a fire can ignite in a home, be pent-up, literally burn out all the oxygen, and just smoulder and then self-extinguish,” FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said.

Police allege Harkess suffered significant injuries and died before the blaze.

Jacob Divola, 26, was initially charged in August with damaging property by fire or explosion (DV).

Following further inquiries, he has been charged with murder (DV) and was refused bail to appear in court on February 3.

Divola’s lawyer previously told the court in August that he was on a mental health care plan.

Harkess has been remembered as a well-loved member of the community. Credit: Supplied

Unimaginable loss

Kain, a father-of-five, said he has not yet told his daughters that they have lost their great-grandmother.

“She played a huge role in their lives. She was very special to them, and I’m trying to find the right moment to tell them, but time keeps passing,” he said.

Growing up with Harkess from the age of 13, Kain said she was like a mother to him.

“My grandmother was my best friend. She was my anchor,” he said.

“Diane was a person who valued respect more than anything. If you respected her, she’d give you the shirt off her back.”

He described her as “well-known in the community” and a resilient woman who had endured much in her life.

Superintendent Chad Gillies also described Harkess as “a well-loved member” of the community.

“She gets on very well with the residents in the estate there,” he said.

“It’s a tragic set of circumstances, she is well loved and a very kind person.”

Kain said he grew up with Harkess from the age of 13. Credit: Supplied

Life thrown into chaos

Kain said he was living with his boyfriend when the alleged murder occurred.

However, the emotional toll of Harkess’s passing has caused Kain and his boyfriend to separate.

A former freelance drone pilot, Kain said the stress of the situation and ongoing mental health concerns led to his licence being revoked, leaving him without an income.

Relying on Centrelink, Kain said he is now struggling to pay rent and fears he’ll lose his home “right before Christmas”.

Kain also said he has limited support from family or friends.

Harkess’s dog, Ashy, survived the fire but has been left traumatised. Credit: Supplied

As he navigates his grief and mounting financial pressures, he hopes community support will help him honour Harkess’s legacy, as well as caring for her dog, Ashy.

“Her beloved dog Ashy is the only treasure that survived the horrific event, but she has been left deeply traumatised and now requires veterinary care and ongoing support,” Kain wrote on a GoFundMe page.

He thanked those who have already donated to “honour Diane’s memory, care for her beloved Ashy, and begin to heal after this devastating loss”.

“Every donation, no matter the size, reminds us that Diane’s love and kindness are remembered and cherished,” he said.

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