Police defend investigation amid criticism from Sarah Brown’s mother

Police have defended their efforts to locate a 23-year-old woman who was found dead by a friend in bushland, seven days after going missing, after her mother labelled them “terrible” and “appalling”.

Sarah Brown with her mother Janet Gardner.

A Queensland Police Service spokesperson responded on Wednesday to questions surrounding the initial search for a missing 23-year-old woman in Gympie, and the investigation into the cause of her death.

Earlier in the week, Janet Gardner, the mother of Sarah Brown, called out the police for their “terrible” and “appalling” efforts in searching for her daughter who went missing on June 7.

“I gave them everything I knew and didn’t hear from them again until the body was found,” Ms Gardner said.

“I didn’t see any evidence of anyone looking.”

Sarah Brown was only 23 years old when she died in Gympie bushland.

Ms Gardner said Sarah may have been treated differently to other missing people due to her criminal history.

“It made me feel like she wasn't important and she didn’t matter, possibly because she had a history with the police and with drugs,” she said.

When Sarah was eventually found by a male friend on June 14, Ms Gardner was not allowed to view her daughter.

“Surely I could’ve seen a picture of her or viewed her from a distance,” Sarah’s grieving mother said.

Sarah Brown with her mother Janet Gardner.

A Queensland Police Service spokesperson responded to the criticism saying police started an investigation on June 10, when Sarah was reported missing.

“Detectives liaised with the Missing Persons Unit and conducted extensive inquiries to locate Ms Brown,” the spokesperson said.

“A search of the property that Ms Brown resided on was not conducted based on the intelligence provided to police at the time.”

Sarah Brown (right) and her mother Janet Gardner (left) had a very close bond.

The spokesperson said Gympie detectives used “all methodologies” available to them to locate Sarah.

“Based on scientific and autopsy results her death is not being treated as suspicious,” they said.

“To respect the coronial process now underway, it would be inappropriate to provide further comment.”