An investigation is underway following the discovery of a woman’s body in a vehicle outside a police station. The incident took place on Friday, December 5, 2025, at approximately 4:30 pm when officers from Lake Illawarra Police District found the woman’s body in a car parked outside the police station on Pioneer Drive in Lake Illawarra.
Preliminary findings suggest that the woman had been in the vehicle since around 6:30 pm on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Although the woman has not been officially identified, authorities have revealed that she was 48 years old based on an assessment conducted by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar informed the media that CCTV footage showed the woman entering the police station on Tuesday, interacting with the police, and spending some time in the lobby before leaving the station. It is believed that she then entered the back seat of the vehicle at around 6:30 pm that same day.
Assistant Commissioner Cassar mentioned that it seems the woman had been residing inside the vehicle. The circumstances surrounding whether she sought help from the police or filed a report are part of the ongoing investigation. Police are working on confirming the woman’s identity, noting that she was found in an advanced state of decomposition.
Extreme temperatures inside the locked vehicle due to hot weather conditions were highlighted as a factor in the incident. North South Wales Police confirmed that the Critical Incident Investigation will be led by the South Coast Police District. They stated that the investigation will be independently reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, with a report to be prepared for the Coroner’s information.