Bins seized as missing woman Lesley Trotter declared dead

A major police investigation has been launched after a missing elderly woman was declared dead.

A major police investigation is underway and bins at an apartment complex have been seized after a missing elderly woman was declared dead.

Lesley Trotter, 78, was last in contact with family at 11am on March 27 and wasn’t at her home at Toowong in Brisbane when police conducted a check of the premises the following day.

However, Ms Toowong’s mobile phone and wallet were left behind at the house.

Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham confirmed the homicide investigation unit has been involved but gave no details about her cause of death.

“Unfortunately, investigations yesterday afternoon and late into the evening have led us to the conclusion that Mrs Trotter is, in fact, deceased,” he said.

Lesley Trotter was last seen at the end of March.

“We believe her death occurred close to her unit block on Maryvale St, Toowong, and we currently have two crime scenes set up in that area.”

Bins at the property are believed to have been seized as Ms Trotter often sorted recycling

in the rubbish outside her property and at neighbouring properties.

“We have not ruled out that this activity, in some way, is linked to her death,” he said.

“I’ve requested that detectives from homicide join us on this matter, and they have kindly done that. At this stage, however, we do not know if the death is suspicious or not.

Bins around the property are believed to have been seized. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“It will take us some days to work through the evidence we have.”

Detective Superintendent Massingham also said police believe the retired teacher died between midnight on Monday, March 27 and midday on Tuesday, March 28.

More than 40 detectives have been at the apartment complex on Friday, police said.

Originally published as Bins seized as missing woman Lesley Trotter declared dead