Insights from an Uber driver have led detectives to uncover human remains, believed to be those of Lucinda Williams, coinciding with the third anniversary of her vanishing.
The discovery took place in the Victorian countryside today after a renewed search spanning two days.
Williams, aged 24, vanished on October 16, 2022, after using a rideshare service to travel from Melbourne to her home in Neerim South, located in West Gippsland, Victoria, around 11:30 a.m.
Authorities have indicated that her death is not considered suspicious.
Acting Inspector Paula Linford informed the media that while forensic analysis is pending, the remains align with Williams’ profile.
The body was located merely 80 meters from the road, concealed within dense bushland.
It is still “very very early” days to determine a cause of death, Linford said.
She described Miller as “very unwell”.
”That’s about all I can say about that,” she added.
A member of the public gave police some information and a “new place to start”, which led them to look into rideshare data.
An Uber driver then provided new intel to help pinpoint Miller’s location.
“At the time, that was what he remembered,” Linford said.
“But the new information that we received gave us the new location.”
Clothing and a vodka bottle was found in the search.
Police used dogs capable of sniffing out electronic devices in the hope of finding Miller’s phone.
However, her phone has not been located.
About 60 people were involved in the renewed search effort this week.
“Local police would like to extend their thanks to the Neerim South CFA, SES, DEECA and the AFP for their support and assistance,” police said in a statement.
Authorities began scouring bushland arond two kilometres north of the original search area around McDougal Road in Neerim South on Monday.
Detectives appealed to anyone who had been walking in bushland around McDougal Road, near the intersection of Whitelaw Track, to come forward.
