Mystery clues discovered near human remains on NSW beach
A novel, reading glasses and a backpack have been discovered close to a popular NSW beach where human remains were found last month.
Police were called to Jetty Beach at Coffs Harbour on June 18 after the remains, believed to be of a woman in her 50s or 60s, were found buried in sand dunes by a volunteer doing preservation work.
Anne-Marie Conway’s novel Butterfly Summer. A copy of the book was found near human remains on a beach. Credit: DePop.com
Police say the woman was wearing a Bras N Things singlet top and blue denim jeans.
Investigations have led police to believe the woman died sometime between 2020 and 2023.
Despite continued forensic testing, the woman remains unidentified, and there have been no matches with missing person reports.
In the latest development, searches of the nearby area have revealed “items of interest”, police say.
These include a paperback book by Anne-Marie Conway titled Butterfly Summer, reading glasses, silver earrings, hair clips, a Target-branded blue-and-white-striped button-up shirt, a Harvey World Travel backpack and a Laura Jones brand wallet.
The woman’s remains were found at Jetty Beach in Coffs Harbour last month.Credit: Google Maps
Superintendent Joanne Schultz, Commander at Coffs/Clarence District, said after further forensic analysis police believe the remains had been there for up to four years. They had initially thought they were historical.
She urged the public to “search their memory” about whether they may have seen anyone matching the relevant description in the area between 2020 and 2023.
Schultz said “food and medication” was found alongside the other personal belongings, which were “within a distance of the bones” and “weren’t discarded”.
“We have no reason to believe they don’t (belong to the deceased),” she told reporters.
“We have obtained a DNA profile so we’re hoping that might assist.”
Police were looking at all possibilities, including that the bones were moved there, she said.
Police urged anyone with information to contact Coffs/Clarence Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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