Human bone found at FNQ tourist spot could be missing woman’s: police

Queensland Police are investigating after what’s believed to be human remains were found at Mossman Gorge.

A human bone found at a popular Far North Queensland tourist destination could end the mystery of a woman who was swept away by fast waters in January.

The human remains were found by a member of the public at Mossman Gorge, about 20km north of Port Douglas, last week.

Eight months earlier, a 54-year-old Victorian woman disappeared after she was last seen struggling in the water at Mossman Gorge.

Mossman Gorge is a popular tourist spot on the way to the Daintree National Park. Picture: Getty Images

A 10 day search of the area failed to find her.

Officer-in-charge of Mossman Police Station Matthew Smith told the Cairns Post the bone was found downstream from the popular swimming spot where the woman was last seen.

A tourist is understood to have found the bone in Mossman Gorge last week, with forensic officers on the scene on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Brendan Beckett

“It’s a reasonable assumption that it may be related to the missing person, but we have to wait on DNA testing to establish that,” Mr Smith said.

“I think in general, people aren’t supposed to swim in the gorge. Signs indicate they discourage people from swimming, especially depending on the weather conditions, but police will be around.

“Hopefully it provides closure to the family of the missing person. We’re all hopeful that it’s her.”

Queensland Police say forensic officers are still testing the bone.

Members of the Cairns team of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Swiftwater Unit searching for the missing woman at Mossman Gorge in January. Picture: Supplied

“Divers will return to the site [on Tuesday] for further examination of the area,” a police spokesperson said.

“Forensic procedures and investigations are ongoing to establish the origin of the remains.

“Mossman Gorge will remain open to the public.”

Mossman Gorge is considered the gateway to the Daintree National Park, and is about 78km northwest of Cairns, and 1757km north-northwest of Brisbane.

Originally published as Human bone found at FNQ tourist spot could be missing woman’s: police