Horror as a headless, limbless torso is found hidden in a couch in Sydney bushland: Police launch murder probe
A murder investigation has been launched after a rotting headless, limbless torso was discovered inside a couch in Sydney bushland, just 5m from a suburban cul-de-sac.
The human remains were found in scrub near Avian Crescent in Lane Cove North on Sydney’s Lower North Shore after complaints from the public about a foul smell about 2.30pm on Wednesday.
‘On arrival, police located a sofa-style storage couch and within that couch was human remains,’ Superintendent Paul Devaney said.
‘A forensic examination later identified those remains to be a torso of an adult male. Those remains have been conveyed for further examination.
‘We are working around the clock to identify this male.’
Police believe the remains had been at the location for ‘a couple of days’.
Detectives believe the victim was murdered somewhere else and the body brought to the bushland bordering the Lane Cove National Park where it was found.
‘[Locals] are not under any threat,’ Supt Devaney said. ‘There is no indication that this person met foul play within the area of Lane Cove.’
The location is near the Lane Cove River and multiple bushland walking tracks
A murder investigation has been launched after a torso was found in the leafy suburb of Lane Cove, on Sydney’s Lower North Shore
Forensic teams and a police cadaver dog was seen combing through the bushland on Thursday
Supt. Devaney said police are yet to determine how long the remains had been there but there were ‘some signs’ that it’d been there for at least a couple of days.
He also urged locals to contact police if they have witnessed a sofa or any suspicious activity in that area.
It comes as shocked residents said they were horrified to learn human remains had been found in their ‘peace-loving community.’
‘We’re quite shocked….we were just doing our usual walk and saw the helicopter and wondered what was going on,’ Marianne Bastini said.
‘It’s a shock to know a body has been found. It’s a well known track, with water just down below… a lot of people go through here.
‘So it’s really sad to see this has happened.
Another local, Sophie Fattouh, who lives a few houses down from the cornered off scene, told the Daily Mail she was ‘very disturbed’ by the discovery.
‘Nothing happens in this street,’ she said. ‘It’s a very peaceful and friendly neighbourhood. We just did the street Halloween a few weeks ago. It disturbing, it’s shocking.’
Sophie Fattouh, who lives a few houses away from the crime scene, said she was ‘very disturbed’ by the discovery
Superintendent Paul Devaney said the torso was found 5 metres from the cul-de-sac
Ms Fattouh said she usually feels very safe walking though the bushland, even at night.
Another resident said she now felt scared after learning the news.
Police, including forensic specialists, continue to comb through the bushland, with a cadaver dog and Police Air Wing on site.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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