NewsBite

Umina Beach: woman’s body discovered in home identified as Joeanne Rodgers

Police have released an image of the woman found dead in her Umina Beach home last week and are appealing for information to determine her last movements.

Joeanne Rodgers was found dead in her Umina Beach home last week. Picture: NSW Police Force
Joeanne Rodgers was found dead in her Umina Beach home last week. Picture: NSW Police Force

Police are appealing for information to piece together the final movements of Joeanne Rodgers who was found dead a week ago in her Umina Beach home.

Emergency services were called to the 50-year-old’s address on Trafalgar Ave on Friday after reports a man, known to her, broke into her home when attempts to contact her proved unsuccessful.

A post-mortem examination has been conducted however the results have been inconclusive.

Brisbane Water Superintendent Tony Joice said Ms Rodgers was found with injuries.

“At the moment we don’t know (how she died) and we are really forced to treat these things as undetermined,” he said.

“The death is unusual, there some injuries located on the body and we need to know exactly what has happened.”

Supt Joice said Ms Rodgers had injuries to her head and body and was discovered by a friend who had been away for a few days.

He said it was not clear how long she had been dead before her body was discovered.

Police are continuing to investigate the last movements of Ms Rodgers who was known around Woy Woy and Umina.

Police closed off Winifred Ave for most of Friday. Picture: Richard Noone
Police closed off Winifred Ave for most of Friday. Picture: Richard Noone

Supt Joice said Ms Rodgers was known to frequent several Peninsula suburbs.

“We know Joeanne would visit Woy Woy and Umina on a daily basis and we are very interested in speaking with anyone who may have seen or had contact with Joeanne since the start of 2020 – including early last week,” he said.

“Any information can hopefully help establish Joeanne’s movements and who she was associating with in the days before her body was located.”

Some flowers left at Ms Rodgers’ door on Wednesday. Picture: Fiona Killman
Some flowers left at Ms Rodgers’ door on Wednesday. Picture: Fiona Killman

Police closed Winifred Ave, near the intersection of Trafalgar Ave, for most of the day last Friday as forensic officers conducted extensive investigations.

Detectives from Brisbane Water Police District have been investigating the death with assistance from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.

It is the second time in six months Brisbane Water detectives have been unable to determine a cause of death after 56-year-old Devora Howard was found floating off Terrigal Haven in September last year.

The popular Wamberal local was last seen talking on her mobile phone on her balcony about 10pm the night before her partially naked body was found by fishermen.

Devora Howard, also known as Devora Cooke, was pulled from the water off Terrigal's The Haven on September 3, 2019. Picture: Facebook
Devora Howard, also known as Devora Cooke, was pulled from the water off Terrigal's The Haven on September 3, 2019. Picture: Facebook

An autopsy revealed Ms Howard drowned.

“Following an extensive investigation, there is no evidence that the death is suspicious; however, a report is being prepared for the information of the NSW Coroner,” a police spokeswoman said.

Anyone with information on Ms Rodger’s is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/central-coast/woy-woy-womans-body-discovered-in-home-identified-as-joanne-rodgers/news-story/9f45bc4e9d3fdd87c2863601140c20b5