Police are appealing for assistance from the public as inquires continue into the discovery of a body in a burnt-out vehicle in the state's north-west at the weekend.
Emergency services were called to the Kamilaroi Highway, Brewarrina, 100km east of Bourke, about 5.15am Sunday (28 September 2025), when an SUV was found alight.
A body was found inside the vehicle once the fire had been extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW.
A crime scene was established and an investigation commenced under Strike Force Mayville, comprising of detectives from Central North Police District and the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad.
The remains are yet to be formally identified; however, investigators are following a number of lines of inquiry.
As inquiries continue, police are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to call Bourke Police.
Central North PD Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Andrew Barnes, said the death is being treated as suspicious.
"Due to the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body we are treating the death as suspicious," Det Insp Barnes said.
"While we are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination, my detectives have been provided with information which indicates a possible identity of the deceased.
"Based on that information, we do not believe there is any evidence that members of the local community are at risk; however, we are appealing to the public to come forward if they have information which could be relevant to this investigation.
"We hope to confirm the identity of the deceased as well as the cause of death this week. This information is vital to the ongoing investigation.
"I can confirm detectives have spoken with a number of people in the local area, and hope anyone with information – or dashcam vision – of the vehicle, or the person driving that vehicle before it was found alight on Sunday, to come forward.
"The vehicle has now been identified as being a green 1996-model Nissan Pathfinder station wagon with NSW registration CR21TG. Checks have revealed the vehicle is currently unregistered.
"Anyone with information they believe can assist police is urged to contact Bourke Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000," Det Insp Barnes said.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
