Wellington mother Mavis Stanley found dead in Bourke, police treating as murder

A woman who was found dead and naked on the side of a road in the state’s west has been identified as a Wellington mother of two, with her death being treated as a murder.

Police are questioning a 49-year-old man over the suspicious death.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains the name and image of a deceased Indigenous person.

A woman who was found dead and naked on the side of a remote road in the state’s west has been identified as mother of two Mavis Stanley.

Family and friends of Ms Stanley say they are “devastated” after the 47-year-old’s body was discovered on Parkdale Rd in Bourke shortly after 8am on Tuesday.

Police are questioning a 49-year-old man over the suspicious death, but no charges have been laid.

The Wiradjuri woman’sdeath is being treated as a murder with homicide detectives assisting the investigation.

The woman found dead in Bourke on Tuesday has been identified by family and friends as Wellington mother Mavis Stanley.

A family friend told this masthead Ms Stanley was due to return home to Wellington to care for her sick mother before her body was found stripped naked and abandoned on the roadside.

“Mavis will be missed by those who loved her,” the friend said.

Community members also paid tribute to Ms Stanley on social media with messages from loved ones saying they were “devastated by the news”.

“Rest In Peace Aunty Mavis Stanley. Sending love and strength to all in mourning today,” one post read.

“Oh my sista Mavis Stanley. Such sad news to wake up to. Rest easy sis. I’ll remember all our times together,” another tribute read.

“This is so sad. God bless her, may she rest in peace. My heart, thoughts, prayers and condolences are with her children and family.”

The outpouring of grief comes after officers from Central North Police District responded to reports the body of a woman had been located on the side of Parkdale Rd leading out of the town centre.

Officers established a crime scene with specialist police called in to aid the investigation in the remote NSW town.

Ms Stanley’s body was found on Parkdale Rd shortly after 8am.

A 49-year-old man who police say was known to Ms Stanley was later taken to Bourke Police Station to assist with inquiries but has not been identified.

Police confirmed they have not formally identified the body at this stage as they wait for fingerprint tests to be completed.

The cause of death is also yet to be determined or confirmed by police.

It is understood police will be looking to piece together Ms Stanley’s last movements and who she may have been with in the moments before her death.

One of the possible avenues being explored by police in their investigation will be whether the incident was domestic violence-related.

As inquiries continue, officers are urging anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward with information.

Police are also appealing for anyone with dashcam or mobile phone footage taken at the time and location of the incident to contact Bourke Police Station or Crime Stoppers.