The man police arrested early Friday morning in relation to the stabbing death of Leanyer business owner and mother Sheena Fairfield has been charged with murder, NT Police said.

Joerg Kloepper, the owner of Joerg’s Gardening Services, which has been in operation since 2010 was charged with murder on Tuesday and appeared in Darwin Local Court Wednesday morning.

The case was adjourned until January 25 to allow prosecutors more time for evidence collection.

Ms Fairfield, 39, was found dead from stab wounds in the front yard of her Leanyer home when her husband Mick Fairfield returned home from work on Thursday afternoon. It’s believed she had been dead in the yard for up to three hours.

The couple’s five-year-old daughter reportedly witnessed the violent attack and was found hiding under a blanket by her father.

Police arrested the 56-year-old suspect in the Palmerston suburb of Roseberry at 2am Friday, roughly 12 hours after the attack.

Joerg Kloepper was then taken to Royal Darwin Hospital with what were believed to be self-inflicted injuries sustained during the attack. He remained in protective custody there over the weekend.

On Tuesday, police said he has been formally charged with murder and would appear in Darwin Local Court on Wednesday.

Police have previously said Ms Fairfield knew her alleged attacker.

Ms Fairfield owned Territory Butchers at the Hibiscus Shopping Centre with her husband.

“Investigations surrounding the death remain ongoing,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Morrissey in a statement.

Kloepper’s lawyer did not make a bail application. He was remanded in custody for his next preliminary mention on January 23.