Body Found Near School
Newcastle Herald
Tuesday June 25, 2002
HOMICIDE detectives are investigating the discovery of a woman's body in a strip of scrub adjoining houses at a busy Central Coast intersection yesterday.
No weapon was found near the body. But forensic police have examined a beer bottle found against a fence that abuts houses that back on to Goomera Ave, San Remo.
`There is foul play, to say the very least,' Tuggerah Lakes local area commander Supt Alan Clarke said at the scene.
Sydney-based Crime Agencies detectives joined local police and forensic officers at the crime scene, which is just 300 metres from Northlakes Public School and Northlakes High School.
A male resident found the woman's body about 11am in a small area of bushland used by locals as a short-cut between Goomera Ave and shops on the Pacific Highway.
The woman, who is
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Body found metres from houses
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believed to be in her 40s, was found face down and had suffered head injuries.
Police said late last night she had not been identified.
It is not known whether the woman had been killed at the scene or was dumped but a resident had reported hearing screams and people arguing at her back fence about 10.30pm on Sunday.
A post-mortem examination on the body will be done today.
The victim was dressed in a red sloppy joe, black leather jacket, black slacks and sandals.
She was of a solid build with shoulder-length black hair.
Tuggerah Lakes duty officer Chief Inspector Dave Knowles said detectives and forensic police would continue to search the site today for possible clues.
Chief Insp Knowles said police were keen to speak with any possible witnesses to the incident.
`There has been people offering some information passed onto police,' he said. `But we are appealing for more witnesses to come forward with information.'
Police would guard the scene overnight to preserve the site for forensic officers and detectives.
About 30 police, including at least 12 detectives, searched the surrounding area and doorknocked houses for several hours yesterday.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was shocked by the news and said the area was usually fairly quiet.
`You might hear the occasional argument or whatever but nothing like this; it is certainly a one-off thing,' he said.
Police have urged anyone with information to contact Wyong detectives on (02) 4352-4899 or CrimeStoppers on 1800-333-000.
© 2002 Newcastle Herald