A Gatineau man faces second-degree murder and arson charges in the death of a woman whose body was found in her burned-out home in July.

Gatineau police said Patrick Dussault, 38, was a "handyman" with a criminal record who was renovating Diane Lahaie's home on Rue de Gaspé at the time of her death.

Dussault appeared in a Gatineau court Thursday and was remanded into custody. He'll return to court on Sept. 16.

Diane Lahaie's body was found in her burned-out home on rue de Gaspé on July 27. (CBC)

Lahaie's body was discovered in her home on July 27. Police said the 64-year-old was killed with a "sharp object" before her house was set on fire. The second-degree murder charges against Dussault are dated July 25, two days before Lahaie was found.

People who lived nearby described the area where Lahaie lived as a quiet, family-oriented neighbourhood.

One neighbour, Marc Regimbal, said his family was relieved police had made an arrest.

"My wife, she was worried about keeping the door locked and all that," said Regimbal.

"Now that we know, okay, somebody's been charged, we know that the person is not going around to hurt anybody else for any reason."

Police said they have evidence that shows Dussault driving away in Lahaie's car, then abandoning it. Officers located a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire the night Lahaie's body was found, calling it a vehicle of interest in the investigation but not releasing any more information at the time.

Patrick Dussault was formally charged with arson and second-degree murder on Thursday. (Laurie Foster-MacLeod/CBC)

A Facebook page featuring Dussault's name, photo and personal information lists his most current employer as Studio 13 Tattoo.

Lahaie's death is Gatineau's third homicide of 2013.