Investigators search for identity of woman found buried in Alderley unit block

A woman’s decomposing remains have been found ‘wrapped’ and hidden in a wall at a unit complex. Days later, there are still more questions than answers.

Police are working to solve the mystery of how a woman’s body found tightly wrapped and buried in a besser block wall in Brisbane “months ago” came to be there.

The grim discovery of the human remains were found by cleaners in the garage of an Alderley block of units about 10.45am on December 7.

Forensic examiners confirmed on Friday the remains belonged to a woman.

The cleaners were reportedly upset and traumatised by the shocking discovery.

A tightly wrapped body which was partially buried and covered in clothing and bedding was found under a unit complex in Alderley in Brisbane’s north. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Police had not received any reports of a bad smell or any other suspicious activity before the shocking discovery.

Photographs from the scene show police vehicles parked in front of a parking garage area since Wednesday as homicide detectives investigated the property.

‘Concerning’ details revealed

Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham told reporters on Wednesday the woman’s body was found “very tightly wrapped” and covered in clothing and bedding, which is believed to have concealed the smell.

“Whoever … has put the person there has attempted to conceal the body fairly unsuccessfully,” he said.

Police have confirmed the human remains found in a unit complex in Alderley in Brisbane’s north were female Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

“(They) have taken great care to wrap the body up in a certain way and preserve it.

“They’ve also transported it to an area that’s not readily accessible.

“Whether it was their intention to leave it there, or come and get it at some later time and they simply haven’t, is part of what we’ll be looking at.”

Unsuspecting residents didn’t know about body

Superintendent Massingham said the residents living at the unit block had not reported any smell or any other suspicion.

He said it was “quite concerning” that the body had gone unnoticed for “some months” but understood that woman’s body’s preservation prevented any smell from raising an alarm.

Residents living in the housing complex where the woman’s body was found are trying to navigate living above an active crime scene.

A crime scene was set up in the garage of the block of units, blocking residents from access to their bins and cars as police continue their investigation.

Residents living in the building where a body was found hidden the garage are unable to access their bins and cars as police continue their investigation. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

One resident was spotted left holding bags of his rubbish waiting for police to direct him to where he could leave them.

But with the bins as part of the cordoned off crime scene, the man was told to leave his rubbish under the stairs to be dealt with at a later time.

Investigators were seen on Friday examining the rubbish bins stored within the garage space and other parts of the open-aired garage space.

Cars have also been locked away from their owners as police continue their investigation.

What happens next

Officers are working to identify the person and the circumstances surrounding their death.

Superintendent Massingham said it would take some time for police to complete their investigation.

“These types of homicide investigations can be complex and lengthy,” he said.

Homicide detectives are trying to identify the female human remains found partially buried under a unit complex in Brisbane’s north. Picture: Dan Peled

“I believe it may take some time to identify who this person is, their cause of death, and of course, the causation relating to the death of this person may take some time.

“We currently have dozens of missing persons reports that we are going through that has already commenced at the Hendra station.”

An investigation centre has been set up at the Hendra police station.

Detectives have interviewed current tenants and seeking information from previous tenants about the coming and goings at the property over the previous months.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Originally published as Investigators search for identity of woman found buried in Alderley unit block