Mystery deepens over woman’s body hidden inside the wall of a suburban apartment block

Police are working to solve the mystery of how the body of a woman found tightly wrapped and buried in a Besser block wall in Brisbane ‘months ago’ got there.

The grim discovery of the human remains was found by cleaners in the garage of an Alderley unit block at around 10:45am on 7 December.

Forensics confirmed Friday that the remains belonged to a woman.

The cleaners were reportedly upset and traumatized by the shocking discovery.

Police had not received any reports of foul odor or any other suspicious activity prior to the shocking discovery.

Photos from the scene show police vehicles parked in front of a parking area since Wednesday while homicide detectives investigated the property.

Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham told reporters on Wednesday that the woman’s body was found “very well wrapped” and covered with clothing and bedding, which is believed to mask the odour.

“Whoever put the person there has tried to hide the body without success,” he said.

‘(They) have been very careful to wrap the body in a certain way and preserve it.

They have also transported it to an area that is not easily accessible.

“Whether it was their intention to leave it there, or to come get it at a later time and they just haven’t, that’s part of what we’ll be looking at.”

Superintendent Massingham said residents living in the unit block had not reported any odors or any other suspicions.

He said it was “quite worrying” that the body had gone undetected for “a few months”, but he understood that the preservation of the woman’s body prevented any odor from sounding an alarm.

Residents living in the housing complex where the woman’s body was found are trying to navigate above an active crime scene.

A crime scene has been set up in the unit block’s garage, blocking residents’ access to their bins and cars while police continue their investigation.

A resident was seen with garbage bags waiting for the police to direct him where he could leave them.

But with the bins part of the crime scene cordoned off, the man was told to leave his trash under the stairs to be dealt with later.

Investigators were seen Friday examining dumpsters stored inside the garage space and other parts of the outdoor garage space.

The cars have also been locked away from their owners while police continue their investigation.

Officers are working to identify the person and the circumstances surrounding his death.

Superintendent Massingham said it would take time for police to complete their investigation.

“These types of homicide investigations can be complex and lengthy,” he said.

“I think it may take some time to identify who this person is, the cause of their death, and of course the causation related to the death of this person may take some time.

“We currently have dozens of missing person reports that we are reviewing that have already started at Hendra station.”

An investigation center has been established at the Hendra Police Station.

Detectives have interviewed current tenants and sought information from previous tenants about the comings and goings on the property over the past few months.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.