Former lover of socialite Maureen Boyce is a 'retired American doctor' who was ‘close to tears and holding his head in his hands’ as he appeared in court charged with her murder

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The man charged with the murder of Brisbane socialite Maureen Boyce is believed to be her ex-boyfriend and a retired American doctor who was living in New Zealand. 

Thomas Lang, 63, appeared in court charged with the stabbing murder of 68-year-old Ms Boyce.

Lang fronted Brisbane Magistrates Court briefly on Saturday morning, on the verge of tears and at one stage holding his head in his hands, the Brisbane Times reported.

Thomas Lang (center), 63, was remanded in custody after appearing in a Brisbane court over the alleged murder of Brisbane socialite Maureen Boyce

The body of Ms Boyce, 68, was discovered in her Kangaroo Point sub-penthouse in Brisbane's east on Thursday after her 'former lover' Mr Lang - who was staying with her - alerted the police

Lang had been living with Ms Boyce and reportedly found her body on the floor of the master bedroom in her lavish Kangaroo Point apartment on Thursday. 

The alleged murderer only spoke once during the hearing to clarify the magistrate's orders, and was remanded in custody.

He was ordered to appear in court again via video link on November 30.

Police said Lang had been staying with Mrs Boyce for several weeks.

Mr Lang was first taken into police custody on Thursday but released on Friday morning after being questioned by detectives. 

He had reportedly recently travelled from New Zealand to re-kindle a relationship with Ms Boyce, the Courier Mail reported.

Police had treated her death as suspicious from the outset, appealing for any witnesses who heard a disturbance or screams between 8.30pm on Wednesday and 5.30am on Thursday to come forward. 

The alleged murderer only spoke once to clarify the magistrate's orders, and will next appear in court via video link on November 30 

Maureen Boyce, a former model, has been described by a former colleague as a gentle soul who was beautiful inside and out 

Ms Boyce was a successful model in the 1960s and 70s when she went by her maiden name Maureen Madden. 

Debbie Miller, described as a former model and friend who worked with Ms Boyve in the early 1970s, said she was shocked by Ms Boyce's death, the ABC reported.

She described Ms Boyce as a 'lovely person' with a 'gentle soul' who was beautiful both inside and out.

Ms Boyce had been one of the country's 'top models', she told the ABC. 

The 68-year-old has been described by friends as 'generous, vivacious and jovial.' 

Ms Boyce's former husband Dr Graham Boyce was reportedly travelling to Brisbane from Cairns following the news of her death.

She has two children, Angelique and Zachary. 

According to social media profiles which appear to belong to her children, Zachary works at a hospital and Angelique for a bank.

Ms Boyce is pictured here with her daughter Angelique Boyce

 Ms Boyce was a successful model in the 1960s and 70s when she went by her maiden name Maureen Madden

Her dead body was found on the floor of the master bedroom in her lavish Kangaroo Point apartment 

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