Queensland Police stop searching Swanbank tip for Lesley Trotter

Police have provided an update on a missing woman, who detectives believe was inside a wheelie bin.

Police have stopped a search for a missing 78-year-old Queensland woman after investigators combed through a massive rubbish tip.

Lesley Trotter was reported missing since March 28, sparking a massive Queensland Police investigation into her mysterious disappearance.

Detectives believe Ms Trotter’s body was inside a wheelie bin on the footpath outside her Maryvale Street home on March 28.

Lesley Trotter from Toowong is believed to have been missing from March 28. Picture: Queensland Police Service.

The bin was collected by a rubbish truck early that morning, with its contents later deposited at Swanbank.

Investigators have now decided stop the search at the Swanbank landfill site on Thursday.

It comes as police sifted through nearly 1000 tonnes of waste material while conducting aerial and ground searches for more than three weeks.

Queensland Police have stopped their search for Lesley Trotter at the Swanbank Waste Management Facility. Picture: Queensland Police

Detectives believe Lesley Trotter was in a rubbish bin when she allegedly disappeared. Picture: Queensland Police

Brisbane Region Regional Crime Coordinator, Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham, said consultation with forensic experts and landfill engineers led to the decision to stop the search.

“After more than a month since commencing the search, police have been unable to locate Ms Trotter’s body,” Detective Superintendent Massingham said.

“A team of ten detectives remain committed to solving the disappearance of Ms Trotter.”

BRISBANE AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos JANUARY 12, 2023: Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham, Regional Crime Coordinator for the Brisbane Region, speaks to the media as police continue appeal for assistance identifying a woman after skeletal remains were located at Alderley. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Detectives have liaised closely with the Trotter family throughout the investigation and they have been advised of this latest decision.

Investigations are continuing.

Anyone with information or CCTV footage, particularly between 5am and 7am on Tuesday, March 28 near Maryvale Street in Toowong, are being urged to contact police.