A man, possibly armed, is on the run following the discovery of a woman's body by police during a domestic violence call-out.

Emergency services were called to a home in Kearsley, in the NSW Hunter Valley, about 7.30pm on Friday.

Officers found the 39-year-old woman, who is yet to be formally identified, dead at the residence.

Homicide investigators immediately established a crime scene.

Hunter Valley Superintendent Steve Laksa said police were seeking 37-year-old Christopher James Mcloughney.

Describing him as thin, 175cm tall and with red hair, he said McIoughney was known to police and could be in the Cessnock, Lower Hunter Valley or Newcastle area.

Supt Laksa said the death of the woman had involved a "traumatic incident".

"It was quite horrific for family members, all involved,

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