Hamilton police have charged a Stoney Creek man with first-degree murder after they found the body of a female in a Riverdale Avenue apartment Tuesday night.

Police say, shortly after 11 p.m., they received a 911 call from the parking lot of Eastgate Square from a male who reported that he had just killed a woman. The mall is located half a block from the apartment building.

Officers found the woman's body inside an apartment in the building at 9 Riverdale Avenue., a 6-storey apartment building that stands at the corner of Riverdale and Queenston Road. Police said the woman was "the obvious victim of a homicide."

One tenant, who asked not to be named, said he would often shake hands with the accused man in the hallways. He called the man "a nice guy," but said his personality changed when he was drunk and he became unpleasant to be around.

The man said the accused's apartment was on the fifth floor of the building.

A forensics team works inside the apartment building. One resident said the killing took place in a unit on the fifth floor. (John Rieti/CBC)

Other neighbours said they were shocked by the news that a murder had taken place in the neighbourhood. One woman walking her dog said the apartment building where the woman was killed has a good reputation. Another resident said its rare to see police in the area.

Police say the victim’s name is not being released at this time as detectives continue to investigate what happened.

Police have charged Dalibor Klarica, 35, of Stoney Creek with first-degree murder.

Police are asking for anyone with information to call Detective Benoit Thibodeau of the Homicide Unit at 905-546-3926 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477