Police have reassured Lane Cove residents they are not under any threat after human remains were found inside a couch in bushland in Lane Cove North on Wednesday afternoon.
Detectives are now appealing for CCTV and dashcam footage as they work to identify the man.
What police said in this morning’s media release
In a media release issued at 7.43am today, NSW Police said officers were called to Lane Cove North about 2.30pm on Wednesday 11 November after reports human remains had been found in bushland.
Officers from North Shore Police Area Command attended and found a couch containing a human torso. Police set up a crime scene and forensic specialists took the remains for a post-mortem examination.
The remains have not yet been formally identified but police believe they belong to an adult man. North Shore detectives are investigating with help from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.
What police told media at 10.30am
Superintendent Paul Devaney, Commander of North Shore Police Area Command, addressed media outside Chatswood Police Station at 10.30am today.
He said local residents noticed a smell in the area and contacted police. The couch was in bushland off Avian Crescent, about five metres from the road.
Superintendent Devaney said there were signs the remains had been there for at least some days. The post-mortem will help determine how long and whether there are any other injuries. No other remains have been found at this stage.
A strike force has been set up and police are working with the missing persons registry to try to identify the man.
“We are working around the clock to identify this male and determine what has led to his death and the disposal of his remains,” he said.
He said his main concern was for the man’s family and identifying him so they can be told.
A cadaver dog is in the area and police are carrying out a line search. Superintendent Devaney said the bushland runs back to the Lane Cove River but he was not aware of police searching the river at this stage.
“Not under any threat”
Superintendent Devaney described Avian Crescent as a very quiet street in an area with almost no crime.
“Obviously it’s distressing for the local community and I want to reassure them that they’re not under any threat.”
“There’s no indication that this person met with foul play within the area of Lane Cove. But it’s very early stages of the investigation and we are still undertaking numerous and comprehensive inquiries.”
He expects police to stay in the area for as long as the forensic work takes.
Can you help?
Police want to hear from anyone who saw the couch or anything suspicious around Avian Crescent in the past couple of weeks.
They are also asking residents to check home CCTV and the dashcams of any cars parked in and around the area. Superintendent Devaney said even “the smallest snippet of evidence” could help.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information is treated confidentially. Please don’t report information through police social media pages.
Report information to NSW Crime Stoppers
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