Woman, 38, found dead in Apollo Bay formally identified

A woman found dead in waters near Apollo Bay has been identified as fresh details emerged into the tragic find.

The body was found near the Apollo Bay back beach and nearby Barham River. Photo: Supplied.

A woman found dead in waters near Apollo Bay has been identified as fresh details emerged into the tragic find.

It’s understood the remains of the 38-year-old, from Coburg, were first discovered in the Barham River on Saturday morning before her lifeless body was pulled from the ocean.

The river flows east to its mouth near the Apollo Bay back beach, about 1.5km from the

town’s main patrolled swimming beach.

Her cause of death is still unclear, with Victoria Police preparing a report for the coroner.

An ariel photo of Marengo Beach and the Apollo Bay back beach. Picture: Brad Fleet

A police spokeswoman confirmed on Tuesday there were no suspicious circumstances.

“It’s very sad,” said Apollo Bay Surf Life Saving Club co-ordinator, David Gorrie.

“We’ve had a couple of tragedies down this way in recent times which is just devastating.”

Paramedics unsuccessfully attempted to revive the woman at the scene.

It comes almost a year after Indian national Jil Khokhara drowned at Marengo beach in March 2024, further south of Saturday’s tragedy.

The 26-year-old and two other swimmers were pulled from the water unconscious by heroic bystander, Brianna Hurst.

Weeks later, three other swimmers were hospitalised and five pulled from a rip near the same location.

The waters off Apollo Bay can be treacherous and several people have lost their lives there.

Originally published as Woman, 38, found dead in Apollo Bay formally identified