Major update in homicide investigation after grandmother’s body found in bushland

Homicide detectives have found a dead grandmother’s car months after her remains were found half-buried at a NSW beach.

The remains of Wendy Hansen, 63, were discovered in bushland that leads to Jetty Beach near Jordan Esplanade, Coffs Harbour, on June 18.

She was last seen withdrawing cash from an ATM on Newton St in the rural town of Monto, about 170km west of Bundaberg, on February 29 this year.

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A homicide investigation was launched as well as Strike Force Osbox, with their inquiries leading detectives to find Wendy’s silver Mitsubishi Pajero in a carpark near Geebung Railway Station on Saturday, September 7.

Police are continuing to appeal for information into the suspicious death.

“The vehicle was seized for forensic examination; however, personal items belonging to Wendy — including her mobile phone that she had when she went missing — were not located in the vehicle and remain missing,” NSW Police said on Wednesday.

Police still have more questions than answers as to how and why Hansen ended up in Coffs Harbour, more than 860km from home.

Homicide Squad commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty earlier said the grandmother had no connection to the city and her disappearance was “completely out of character”.

It appeared to be a “normal day” when Hansen, who was a small business owner in Monto, went to withdraw cash, Doherty said.

Hansen did not appear to be under duress in the CCTV footage of her at the ATM, he added.

Her family, who are not suggested to be involved in the disappearance, are “completely bewildered” by the mystery and the grandmother did not say anything unusual before she vanished.

“It’s still raw for them, they’re still grieving,” Doherty said.

Doherty said the 63-year-old’s remains were discovered by volunteers who were clearing dense bushland.

“They stumbled across the fresh sand that was over the skeletal remains and some other items that were out of place and alerted police,” he said.

The remains were dressed in a Bras N Things-branded singlet top and blue denim jeans.

Items of interest, including silver earrings, hair clips, a blue-and-white-striped button-up shirt, reading glasses, a book, a backpack and a wallet, were found in the area and were confirmed to belong to Hansen.

Anyone with information about Hansen’s movements or dashcam video of her vehicle is asked to contact police.

– With AAP