Authorities have concluded that the death of a woman, discovered on a Sydney beach, was the result of self-harm.
The 24-year-old was found lifeless by surfers and swimmers at Mona Vale Beach, situated on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, early Thursday morning.
Reports indicate she had sustained multiple injuries and was covered in blood. Investigating detectives initially considered the possibility of self-inflicted harm.
Following a thorough investigation, police have now confirmed this conclusion.
There were initial concerns among locals that the woman might have been a victim of a violent crime, with a potential assailant still at large.
A resident, who wished to remain unnamed, shared with the Daily Mail that the sound of sirens woke him between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m.
He went down to the beach to discover the area taped off and teeming with police and paramedics.
Despite the area being cordoned off, the man was able to see the woman’s body lying on the beach with her black handbag next to her.
An investigation was launched after a woman was found dead on a Mona Vale beach on Thursday
Detectives were seen searching through a silver car parked on the beach
The beach remained closed for hours as detectives scoured the scene
Locals say the beach where the woman was found is a popular area for swimmers during the early morning hours due to its flat conditions
The man said the injuries he observed on the woman did not appear as though they could be self-inflicted.
‘It doesn’t make sense to me,’ he said.
The man said the area has attracted transients since a new amenities block, featuring hot water showers, was recently erected near the carpark.
He said people passing through Mona Vale often camp overnight in the car park so they can go for a swim and use the bathrooms and barbeque before continuing on their travels.
While the new facility is beneficial to visitors, locals have been concerned about the lack of lighting at the toilet block.
He said has often seen a group of middle aged men lurking around the facility at night time, which has sparked safety fears among the community.
‘I’m a man in my 50s and even I have been intimidated by the men hanging out there,’ he said.
‘I can only imagine how daunting it must be for women camping in the area.’
It’s understood police have not ruled out self-harm
Cops were seen rummaging through a silver Toyota Corolla station wagon with a red P-Plate parked in the cordoned-off zone as they examined the scene on Thursday.
A thin mattress covered in a yellow sheet, with a bundled-up sleeping bag sitting on top, could be seen in the back of the car.
The Daily Mail understands the woman who passed away was local to the area and her family have been notified.
The area where the woman was found, called Basin Beach, is a popular swimming area for early risers and older residents, as the waters are typically flat.
Police remained at the beach for almost six hours on Thursday, with officers seen carrying brown paper bags up the beach before placing them into their vehicles.
Detectives dismantled the scene at 11am, with dozens of locals seen arriving at the beach as the car park reopened.
The area where she was found is heavily monitored by security cameras, with cops seen collecting CCTV from surrounding homes.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
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