Murder cops probe sex worker Kimberley McRae’s death in Coogee
Mystery surrounds the death of a 69-year-old, not far from Coogee Beach. Homicide police have been called in and officers are appealing for information.
Southern Courier
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Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a woman in Coogee.
Officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command were called to a unit at 92 Mount St, Coogee, about 10am on Tuesday after the body of a woman was found inside.
The woman, a sex worker, has since been formally identified as 69-year-old Kimberley McRae.
A post mortem examination was conducted on Thursday, however further tests are being conducted to determine how she died.
Ms McRae lived alone and did not own a vehicle but was known to walk and exercise in the local area.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad have established Strike Force Onshore to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.
Police believe she conducted her sex work from the Mount St unit in which she was found.
Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said investigators are appealing for public assistance from the community to establish Ms McRae’s movements over the past two weeks.
“At this stage, the last known sighting of Kimberley, also known as Kim, was Tuesday January 7, when she was seen at her Coogee unit,” Det Supt Doherty said.
“Phone records show her mobile phone was in use the following afternoon (Wednesday January 8).
“Her exact movements from the last time she was seen last Tuesday and when her body was found seven days later is unclear.
“The circumstances of her death and the crime scene would indicate that she was killed in her unit.
Police later confirmed that the last known person to see Ms McRae was her real estate, who was carrying out an inspection of her apartment.
“Kim had a distinct personal style with recognisable features and a wide circle of associates,” Supt Doherty said.
“She was known to run along the foreshore and Coogee stairs in the evenings.”
Police are keen to speak with any of Kim’s friends or associates, who may have visited her and have yet to come forward.
“Investigators are aware Kim worked in the sex industry and may be known to some of her associates as Isabella, Samantha and Sabrina,” Supt Doherty said.
“Of course, we’d be keen to speak to anyone who has information or knowledge of Kim’s social activities.
“The community should be reassured that any information they provide will be treated confidentially and with sensitivity.”
Two detectives were at the block on Friday.
One of her neighbours said there were a number of officers at the block on Tuesday and Wednesday and they had spoken to many of the residents.
A man who lived in a unit above Ms McRae for 12 years spoke of his shock at her death.
“She was a very nice person, just different,” the man, who asked not to be named, said.
“You never heard a bad word against her. If you speak to anyone on the street they will tell you the same thing.”
He said she was a performer of some sort who went by the stage name Sabrina.
He also said she wrote books and added she moved up the road about six months ago to a new unit on Mount St.