A woman’s lifeless body has been discovered near Mackay Harbour North Wall in Queensland, Australia, sparking an investigation by local authorities. Payge Leembruggen, 31, was found on Tuesday, 15th September, four days after she was last seen, raising serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding her death.
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Emergency services were alerted to the scene shortly after 8 a.m. when a passer-by found Leembruggen’s body in the sand dunes. Queensland Police later confirmed her identity, and have since begun a thorough investigation into her passing. Notably, she was last spotted on Friday, 11th September, at around 8:55 a.m. at a hair salon on Celeber Drive in Andergrove, which is situated approximately 3.9 miles from where her body was ultimately located.
According to police reports, Leembruggen was described as Caucasian, approximately 5 foot 8 inches tall, and had brown hair. When she was last seen, she was wearing a white top, bright red trousers, and a distinctive red bow in her hair. Details regarding her movements following her departure from the salon remain vague, prompting police to appeal for public assistance in piecing together the timeline of her final hours.
Detective Inspector Emma Novosel from the Mackay Whitsunday District provided an update during a media briefing held on 16th September. She noted that Leembruggen had not been reported as missing prior to the discovery of her body, a fact that has raised further questions about the events leading up to her untimely demise. Novosel also shared concerning information regarding Leembruggen’s family; she was a mother to a five-year-old son who is now in the care of extended family, while it was clarified that Leembruggen did not live with a partner.
The detective inspector emphasised the need to approach the incident with caution, stating, “We always treat an unexplained death as suspicious until proven otherwise.” This statement underscores the police’s commitment to uncovering the truth while ensuring that all avenues are examined thoroughly.
During the initial investigations, it was revealed that a local man, out walking his dogs, stumbled upon the site where Leembruggen had been found about 0.6 miles north of the North Wall car park. This particular area is described as dense and challenging to navigate, featuring numerous paths. Novosel mentioned that the man who discovered her had not visited the area for some time prior to his gruesome find.
In their continuing efforts, Queensland Police and the State Emergency Service (SES) are conducting searches of the wider locality, where Leembruggen’s body was located, in hopes of finding additional evidence or clues. Novosel acknowledged that it was not unusual for Leembruggen to make trips into Mackay city from her home in Mount Jukes, located approximately 25 miles away from the scene.
As the investigation unfolds, police are keen to gather any information from the public that could assist in clarifying the circumstances surrounding Leembruggen’s death. They are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have seen her during the period from 11th to 15th September, or who may possess relevant information that could aid their inquiry.
The unfortunate loss of Payge Leembruggen has left her family devastated, with Novosel extending her thoughts to those impacted by this tragic incident. An autopsy has been organised to help determine the cause of her death, though police have refrained from speculating on the specifics until further information becomes available.
As the community processes this tragic event, the police remain committed to providing updates as the investigation progresses, reminding the public of the importance of vigilance and support during such heartbreaking circumstances.