Police probe launched after body of teenager discovered in bushland southwest of Sydney

A man has been arrested after the body of a 15-year-old boy was discovered in bushland.

Emergency services were called to the site to perform a welfare check on Saturday. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

A man has been arrested after the body of a 15-year-old boy was discovered in bushland about 80kms southwest of Sydney.

Emergency services rushed to Wilton Park Rd in Wilton after receiving a call to conduct a welfare check and found the boy’s body lying in bushland adjacent to the road.

Camden Police Area Command officers secured a crime scene at the site and waited for detectives from the State Crime Homicide Squad to arrive.

Emergency services were called to the site to perform a welfare check on Saturday. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Police have swarmed an area southwest of Sydney after the body of a teenage boy was found in bushland on Wilton Park Rd in Wilton. Picture: 9 News

NSW Police confirmed a 32-year-old man was arrested after he attended Narellan Police Station shortly after 4pm on Saturday following a public appeal for information.

“No charges have yet been laid and inquiries are ongoing,” police said in a statement.

The man remains in police custody as detectives continue with their investigation.

Earlier, Superintendent Tim Calaman told reporters the family of the 15-year-old Picton boy had been notified but he was yet to be formally identified.

The superintendent said a group of about 12 teenagers had been camping in the area overnight.

Police remain at the scene. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

He said police were investigating whether the people that were camping nearby may be involved in the boy’s death.

“Police are speaking to a number of witnesses and we’re canvassing the local area, premises, service stations, everything down there that may lead us to give us an idea of what’s actually happened,” Superintendent Calaman said.

“There would be evidence at the scene that indicates it happened in the area where this person has been located ... we’ll have a clearer idea when that area has been processed.”

Police believe a group of about 12 teenagers were camping in the area when an incident unfolded that resulted in the boy’s death. Picture: ABC News

The superintendent said they were working through a number of leads to establish what happened.

He said it was too early to speculate how the boy died or if a weapon or vehicle were involved in his death.

“The forensic examination and ultimately the coroner will determine how the boy died,” he said.

Police believe the incident occurred on Friday evening, but they were not notified until 7.35am the following morning.

NSW Police superintendent Tim Calaman said it was not clear if the boy’s death was an accident or intentional or if a weapon or vehicle were involved. Picture: ABC News / Brooke Chandler

“There is nothing to indicate that there was an alarm raised last night,” he said.

The superintendent said it was a tragic event and his thoughts were with the boy’s family.

“The family and certain friends will be doing it tough this afternoon as they go through this process,” he said.

“We will continue to support them as we get to the bottom of what happened.

“It is too early to speculate whether it was intentional or an accident that will form the basis of the crime scene investigation.”

Earlier on Saturday a police spokesperson said the death was being treated as suspicious.

Police have closed Wilton Park Road while they carry out their investigation and have asked anyone who has been in the area since 6pm on Friday to contact Crimestoppers.

More to come.

Originally published as Police probe launched after body of teenager discovered in bushland southwest of Sydney