A crime was declared at the Elanora home after a large amount of blood was found at the scene on Tuesday, and an alert was issued for a "high-risk" missing woman, Wendy Sleeman.
Police arrested a 30-year-old man without incident in Brisbane's south about 5pm on Wednesday, as the search continued for the 61-year-old.
Officers were earlier searching for Ms Sleeman's son Slade Murdoch with police confirming ongoing issues between the pair since 2016.
A protection order had been in place since 2021, police said.
Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith said Ms Sleeman called the police after discovering a disturbance at her home on Tuesday afternoon around 3pm.
"She came home from work, and the house had been given some forced entry, and she noticed some damage," Supt Smith told reporters on Wednesday.
By the time police arrived 30 minutes later, Ms Sleeman was missing.
"The scene behind us would indicate that there's been some violence and evidence to show that a fire had been commenced but was extinguished."
Det Smith alleged that an upcoming civil court matter may have triggered the incident.
Ms Sleeman had also earlier called authorities after seeing her son near her workplace.
Police are still searching for a blue Honda Jazz with Queensland registration 952-AT4.
Officers urged anyone with information to contact them.
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