Human remains located at a beach on the state’s South Coast at the weekend have been forensically identified as those of missing Dover Heights woman, Melissa Caddick.
Police say that last Sunday, a group of people were walking along Bournda Beach, about 25km south east of Bega, when they located a running shoe containing human the remains of a decomposed human foot.
“Officers from South Coast Police District attended just after 1pm and seized the shoe and remains, which were sent for forensic examinations,” NSW Police said.
“Assistance was sought from specialist police attached to the State Crime Command’s Missing Persons Registry and Homicide Squad.
“Following the examination and analysis by NSW Health Pathology, the remains have been confirmed as belonging to missing woman, Melissa Caddick.”
The 49-year-old wife and mother was last seen at her Dover Heights home during the evening of November 11 last year.
She was reported missing on November 13, and detectives from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command established Strike Force Cordillera to investigate the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
“Strike force detectives will continue to conduct inquiries – with the assistance of Missing Persons Registry – into the circumstances surrounding Melissa Caddick’s death,” NSW Police said.
“This will include further searches around the Bournda Beach area and along the NSW coastline.”
Police say sea drift patterns indicate that Ms Caddick’s remains could have been in the sea since shortly after she was last seen.
Investigators will also prepare a report for the information of the NSW Coroner.
