A woman’s body was found in a vehicle outside a police station, sparking a critical incident investigation. Police officers from Lake Illawarra Police District made the discovery around 4:30 pm on Friday, December 5, 2025. The woman, believed to be 48 years old, had been in the vehicle since approximately 6:30 pm on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, according to initial assessments by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar revealed that CCTV footage showed the woman entering the police station on Tuesday, interacting with officers, and spending time in the foyer before exiting and getting into the back seat of the vehicle later that evening. He noted that it seemed she had been living in the vehicle. The circumstances of her visit to the station are part of the ongoing investigation to determine if she sought help or filed a report.
The extreme heat, compounded by the locked vehicle, likely contributed to the advanced state of decomposition of the woman’s body. The Critical Incident Investigation is being handled by South Coast Police District, confirmed by a spokesperson from North South Wales Police. The incident will undergo an independent review by the Professional Standards Command and oversight by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, with a report to be prepared for the Coroner.