Emergency services were called to Emu Plains, in Sydney's outer west, following reports of a stabbing about 6.45pm on Thursday.
Officers arrived at a Clouta Place address to find a 58-year-old man with multiple stab wounds to his upper body.
Paramedics treated him at the scene but he could not be revived.
The deceased's 30-year-old son, Evan Davis Clark, was arrested at the address and taken to Penrith Police Station, where he was charged with murder (domestic violence).
Clark faced a bail court on Friday but did not make an application for his release from custody.
Detective Acting Superintendent Michael Cantrell said a number of witnesses had been spoken to regarding the incident, but would not confirm if anybody else was home when it occurred.
Both Clark and his father were known to police for previous domestic violence incidents, albeit not for a number of years, Det Cantrell said.
"The Easter long weekend is supposed to be a time for families to come together and for someone's family to start off a long weekend in such tragic circumstances is very tough," he said.
A number of police and ambulance vehicles were pictured crowding the otherwise quiet, residential street after the incident.
A crime scene has been established and detectives are investigating the incident under Strike Force Hawklar.
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