Homicide investigation launched after Qld grandmother Wendy Hansen’s remains found at Coffs Harbour NSW

The son of a Queensland grandmother whose remains were found in bush near a northern NSW beach has now issued a desperate plea to find out what happened to her. Here’s what we know.

Homicide detectives are appealing for information following the suspicious death of Queensland grandmother Wendy Hansen earlier this year. Her remains were found at Coffs Harbour, some 800km south of where she was last seen. Picture: NSW Police.

The son of a Queensland grandmother and small business owner whose remains were found in bushland near a northern NSW beach some 800km south of where she was last seen has issued a desperate plea for answers.

Donald Hagan has taken to social media to ask for help from the public to track down his mother Wendy Hansen’s car, after police confirmed remains found in Coffs Harbour on June 18 were hers.

Police have since revealed Ms Hansen was a small-business owner at Monto – a sleepy Queensland town west of Bundaberg. The shock news of Ms Hansen’s death has rippled through the “devastated” community.

Wendy Hansen. Picture: NSW Police.

“With heavy hearts we thank everyone for their efforts in searching for mum. Unfortunately this is not the result we hoped for,” Mr Hagan wrote on Facebook.

“The NSW Police are still looking for mum’s car so if you have any info please pass it on to the relevant authorities.”

NSW Police confirmed Ms Hansen’s death was being treated a suspicious and a homicide investigation had been launched.

Wendy Hansen's car. Picture: NSW Police.

Ms Hansen, 63, was last seen withdrawing cash from an ATM on Newton St at Monto – about 170 kilometres west of Bundaberg – on February 29.

She failed to return home and could not be contacted. Queensland Police were notified and launched a missing persons probe.

Officers obtained CCTV of Ms Hansen driving south on the Bruce Highway near Wild Horse Mountain on the Sunshine Coast about 2.30pm the same day.

She was last seen driving her silver two-door Mitsubishi Pajero bearing the Queensland number plate 645 TCZ.

Ms Hansen’s body was found at Coffs Harbour. Picture: Toni Moon.

Earlier, on June 18, Coffs/Clarence Police District officers located human remains half buried in bushland near Jordan Esplanade at Coffs Harbour.

Dunecare workers alerted police after they made the grim discovery.

In a police press conference on Thursday, NSW Police Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, Commander of Homicide, said detectives were particularly interested in finding the car.

NSW Police Commander of Homicide Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty.

He said possessions found alongside Ms Hansen’s skeletal remains helped with identification.

Det Supt. Doherty said there was no suggestion at all Ms Hansen’s “grieving” family had anything to do with her death and the tragic news was “still very raw for them”.

“I have to stress that there is no suggestion the family has any involvement … The family has also been extremely cooperative during our investigations,” he said.

Det Supt Doherty said it was critical to establish a timeline, but Ms Hansen likely died soon after she was last seen on February 29, judging by the state of the remains.

He said it was not clear how long Ms Hansen had been on the Coffs Coast, or whether she had been there at all before she died.

NSW Police on scene after the remains were found. Picture: Toni Moon.

Det Supt Doherty said “she had zero connection to Coffs Harbour” and “it was an ordinary day when she went missing”.

“There was zero indication from her family that there was anything out of the ordinary,” he said.

Ms Hansen’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed, the senior officer said.

Meanwhile, Dunecare contractor Lindy Davis – who was present when the remains were found – said: “At least it’s closure.”

NSW Police investigating.

“We don’t know how she (Ms Hansen) got there, whether there was foul play, or what happened. But at least her family know and we’ve got some idea of what happened now,” she said.

Ms Davis said a memorial tree had been planted for Ms Hansen.

“We’ve planted a tree down there, so it will be a nice memorial space. And hopefully the family will be able to come and visit the place at some point – if they want to,” she said.

Investigations continue and detectives have urged anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage which may be relevant to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or online.

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