Police are appealing for public assistance to establish the movements of Nicole Cartwright, whose body was found in a reserve on Sydney’s North Shore last week, NSW Police say.
About 7.30am last Wednesday (3 October 2018), police were called to Pittwater Road, Hunters Hill, after the body of a woman was found by a council worker in Buffalo Creek Reserve.
The woman has since been formally identified as 32-year-old, Nicole Cartwright.
Ms Cartwright lived with her parents at Lansvale and had a wide circle of friends, often spending time in Sydney’s CBD, Eastern Suburbs, and surrounds.
She did not own a vehicle, but frequently travelled on public transport around the Sydney Metropolitan area.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and Ryde Police Area Command have established Strike Force Winkurra to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.
Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Scott Cook, said investigators are appealing for assistance from the community to establish Ms Cartwright’s movements in the days leading up to her death.
"Investigators have been able to place Nicole on buses and at various railway stations between 27 and 30 September, but we are seeking information from then until she was found," Det Supt Cook said.
"We know that Nicole travelled by train from Bondi Junction to St Marys early on 29 September, and the following afternoon/evening (30 September), we have her at Strathfield, Central, Ashfield and then Museum Railway Stations.
"Nicole had a very distinct style and vibrant personality, so we believe other commuters or members of the community may recall seeing her early last week."
Further police are keen to speak with any of Nicole’s friends or associates, who she visited during that time and have yet to come forward.
"We’ve been liaising with her family, who last had contact with Nicole on 28 September, when she sent a photo taken at Maroubra," Det Supt Cook said.
"The last image we have located so far was captured as Nicole exited Museum Railway Station just before 9.15pm on the Sunday (30 September 2018).
"Of particular interest to us is any sightings or contact with Nicole after that time, and we are appealing for those people to contact us as soon as possible."
Further, investigators believe Nicole’s body was dumped at Buffalo Creek Reserve either late on the Tuesday night or very early hours of Wednesday morning.
"While it is most likely her body was brought to the area under darkness, we are still urging motorists with dash-cam and travelling in that area at that time to provide us copies of their footage," Det Supt Cook said.
"Of course, we’d be keen to speak with anyone who has any information that may assist the investigation, including contact with Nicole or knowledge of her social activities over the past few weeks," Det Supt Cook said.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Winkurra investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
