Body of woman found in suitcase south of Goulburn

A suitcase found dumped on the side of a road in rural NSW does not contain human remains, police say.

The discovery on Sunday of what was initially believed to be the remains of a woman at Oallen, about 50 kilometres south of Goulburn, sparked a homicide investigation that was abandoned on Monday morning after examination of the luggage revealed its contents was a doll-like object.

“They are very realistic in terms of their likeness to human remains, but we determined by other means that they’re not,” Superintendent Linda Bradbury said.

Police had initially believed the suitcase’s contents were a woman’s body in a state of decomposition and were working to match the suspected remains with outstanding missing persons cases.

The suitcase was discovered by two men taking a weekend drive on Sunday afternoon, who had stopped on the side of Wolgon Road at Oallen, about 60 kilometres south of Goulburn, Bradbury had said earlier on Monday.

“Forensic examination is under way to assist us in identifying how long that suitcase has been there,” Bradbury told ABC 702 radio on Monday morning.

“There’s very little we know at this point in time. The investigation is in the early stages, and we really are relying on forensic evidence to tell us a bit more.”

Detectives will return to the crime scene on Monday, where they will canvass the road and surrounding bushland for any further evidence or information to assist with the investigation.

Goulburn is 194 kilometres south-west of Sydney via the Hume Highway.

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