Sorell sudden death: Police investigate death of woman, 40, in Walker St

Tasmania Police have given a final update to their investigations into the sudden death of a 40-year-old woman at Walker Street, Sorell.

Deceased woman found at Walker Street, Sorell, police at the scene. Picture: Chris Kidd

UPDATE, 3.30PM Thursday January 19, 2023:

Tasmania Police say investigations into the sudden death of a 40-year-old woman at Walker Street, Sorell have found that there are no suspicious circumstances.

“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of all involved,” police said in a statement.

“Tasmania Police would like to thank the community for their assistance with the investigations.

“A report is now being prepared for the coroner.”

EARLIER:

The usually quiet area in Walker Street has seen a flurry of police activity as forensics, detectives and uniformed police moved around the small brick unit complex in Walker St on Thursday.

Just after 3.30pm Wednesday, police responded to a call from a member of the public about a concern for welfare at a property in Walker Street, Sorell.

“Currently we cannot confirm the cause of death and the death is still being treated as suspicious and we can’t rule anything out,” Detective Inspector Rebecca Davis said earlier on Thursday.

“Any report of death reported to Police is treated seriously and at this time there is still a number of people we would like to speak to in order for us to gain the full picture around the circumstances.

“The unit complex is in close proximity to one another, people associate with one another. I can confirm that there is no further risk to the community in relation to the circumstances surrounding this death.”

Police at the scene of sudden death, Walker St, Sorell. Picture: Chris Kidd

Deceased woman found at Walker Street, Sorell, police at the scene. Picture: Chris Kidd

Inspector Davis said police had spoken to a number of residents after the woman’s body was found.

“They are a close-knit community, they are deeply saddened by what’s happened to their friend and neighbour and are cooperating fully with the investigation,” she said.

The woman’s body was found inside the residence.

When asked if police believed that the body was there for several days, Detective Inspector Davis said investigations were continuing to determine when the woman died.

“Police investigations with forensic and scientists will continue over the next couple of days and we should have some form of result in the next week,” Inspector Davis said.

Neighbours told The Mercury their street was generally a quiet neighbourhood, with it being unusual to see police in the area.

Local resident Belinda Webster said she started seeing police about 6.30pm Wednesday with a rush of people in the area.

Walker Street resident Belinda Webster. Picture: Chris Kidd

“It’s quite a quiet street.”

“Most people know each other up and down the street.”

“It’s very sad.”

She said she first knew something was wrong when police knocked on her door.

“Police came to the door about 6 o’clock (Wednesday) night and asked questions if we’d heard any screaming or anything like that and we hadn’t heard anything.”

Ms Webster said she didn’t know a lot about the woman involved.

“They’re very quiet down there, we don’t really have anything to do with them.”

Detective Inspector Rebecca Davis at Bellerive Police Station. Picture: Chris Kidd

Inspector Davis said police wished to express their condolences to the woman’s family.

“We also want to thank members of the community that assisted police with their investigations,” she said.