Police have released new details surrounding the tragic discovery of a woman's body inside a car parked just outside a police station on the New South Wales South Coast.
A Tragic Discovery at the Station
A critical incident investigation was initiated around 4:30 pm on Friday after officers made a grim find. The body of a 48-year-old woman was located inside a blue Toyota Yaris parked outside the Lake Illawarra Police Station.
Emergency paramedics rushed to the scene but confirmed the woman had already died. Authorities stated the body was in an advanced state of decomposition, indicating she had likely been in the vehicle for several days during a period of hot weather.
Police Reveal Prior Contact
Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar provided a sombre update on the case. Initial investigations show that the woman had previously spoken to officers and spent time in the station foyer before returning to her car.
"It does appear the woman had been living inside that vehicle," Cassar said. He described the conditions inside the car as extreme, noting, "The weather has been hot, the vehicle was locked, there would have been exceptional temperatures inside the vehicle. It's very, very sad."
Investigation Challenges and Ongoing Inquiries
Police explained they had first noticed the stationary vehicle several days prior but found it difficult to see inside. "The car had a very dark tint and was dirty inside. If you looked through the front of the car, you wouldn't have noticed it," Cassar stated.
It was only when an officer broke a window that the horrifying discovery was made. "That's when they were able to discover that in the back seat there was a body," he added.
Formal identification of the woman is still underway. Investigators are also working to determine if she had approached police for help or to file a report before her death.
The investigation is being overseen by the Professional Standards Command and the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
