Homicide investigation launched after woman’s body found at Epping waste facility in Melbourne

Staff at a waste management facility in Epping made the grisly discovery on Wednesday and called police.

A homicide investigation is under way after a woman’s body was found at a waste facility in Melbourne’s northern suburbs last week.

Staff at Repurpose It on Epping’s Cooper Street made the grisly discovery while moving green waste on Wednesday.

Investigators believe the woman was inside a bin that was picked up outside a property in Coolaroo, north of Melbourne’s CBD, last Tuesday before being taken to the waste facility.

A post-mortem is being conducted to formally identify the woman, whose death is being treated as suspicious.

Victoria Police said officers were canvassing CCTV footage of the Coolaroo area and called for anyone with relevant footage, particularly from between June 23 and July 2, to come forward.

Detectives searched a single-storey brick home on Hilgay Street on Saturday, which was later declared a crime scene.

Forensic crews also scoured the property’s bins.

Police at an address in Coolaroo investigating a suspected homicide where a woman’s body was found in a rubbish tip at Epping. Saturday, July 6. 2024. Picture: David Crosling

Neighbours reported that an elderly woman had been living alone at the home detectives searched at the weekend, and she had only moved into the property in the last few weeks.

Police examine rubbish from the bins at an address in Coolaroo investigating a suspected homicide where a woman’s body was found in a rubbish tip at Epping. Saturday, July 6. 2024. Picture: David Crosling

Tricia Rivera