Human bone found in Byron Bay at Belongil Beach
Creepy find as human bone is found on a popular beach in Byron Bay: Police investigate whether DNA matches missing persons
A human bone has been found near a popular beach in Byron Bay, near a famous shipwreck.
Ten days ago on May 6, a diving instructor made the shocking discovery at the wreck of the SS Wollongbar near Belongil Beach in the far north of NSW.
The bone, believed to be a tibia or tibia, protruded four inches from the sand.
Police divers were sent to the beach to examine the bone and conduct forensics.
Officers are now investigating whether the bone DNA matches any missing persons on the list, including a Colombian man who disappeared while swimming in nearby Main Bach in March.
“The bone has undergone an initial forensic examination which revealed it was human,” the NSW police statement said.
The bone was quite large and, according to the police, had not been in the water that long.
Superintendent Matt Kehoe also warned that the results of forensic investigations could take weeks.
“The initial forensic examination shows that the bone has been in the water for only a short time, weeks or a few months at the most,” Insp Kehoe told the ABC.
“We obtained a DNA sample that we could link to that missing Colombian man, so that will be one of the first investigative opportunities we will pursue.”
The investigation is continuing and a report will be prepared for the coroner.