A 48-year-old woman has been found dead inside a vehicle parked outside a police station on Australia’s southeastern coast, with authorities believing her body may have been there for several days.
Around 4:30 p.m. local time on Friday, Dec. 5, officers discovered the woman inside a vehicle outside Lake Illawarra Police Station on Pioneer Drive in Oak Flats, New South Wales, according to a statement from the New South Wales Police Force. First responders attempted to assist her, but she could not be revived.
Investigators believe the vehicle — and the woman’s body — had been in the same spot since approximately 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2. The woman is understood to have been a member of the public, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Police established a crime scene and declared the matter a “critical incident,” a term used in Australia for traumatic events or threats that cause significant stress, fear or injury. A specialist team from the South Coast Police District is now examining the circumstances surrounding her death.
Authorities said the investigation will undergo an independent review by the Professional Standards Command, with additional oversight from the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission. A report will ultimately be prepared for the coroner.
The incident occurred during a heatwave in the region, with temperatures in nearby Albion Park reportedly approaching 100 degrees, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
