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Police in Australia launched a homicide investigation after two men found a suitcase with what appeared to be human remains inside
Forensic examinations revealed the body was actually a “life-like doll” with “clothing, hair, and a nose piercing”
Police also said the doll had “markings that resembled bruises and grazes”
A homicide investigation in Australia has been called off after the ‘body’ involved turned out to be a “life-like doll” with its own “clothing, with hair and a nose piercing.”
On Sunday, Aug. 9, New South Wales Police (NSW) officers were called to the small town of Oallen, around 134 miles south of Sydney, at 12:50 p.m. local time, following reports that members of the public had found human remains stuffed inside a suitcase, per a release.
Officers from the Hume Police District found the bag on the side of the road, with what appeared to be the remains of a female inside, the release added.
Initial investigations were undertaken by forensic officers at the scene before the bag was sent for forensic examination at a laboratory, the statement continued. Shortly after, the local authorities announced a homicide investigation, only to later backtrack per News.com.au and the BBC.
The body turned out to be a life like doll
Credit: 7News Australia/Youtube
“Following forensic examinations, this morning, police confirmed the item located in the bag was a life-like doll, wearing clothing, with hair and a nose piercing,” said the NSW police release, published on Monday, Aug. 10.
It added that the doll also had “markings that resembled bruises and grazes.”
Superintendent Linda Bradbury told reporters on Monday that the doll was “very realistic in the terms of looking like human remains,” but said authorities had later confirmed they were not, News.com.au reported.
“We don’t necessarily like to disturb any crime scenes because that’s our links to making sure that offenders are brought before the court,” she said, per Australia outlet 7 News.
Bradbury said she had “no regrets” about the handling of the case, per the BBC.
“The idea is to not disturb crime scenes as much as possible, to maintain the integrity of our investigation,” she said.
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The doll was found “stuffed inside a suitcase,” which was placed behind a pine tree in an area with “limited to no CCTV,” per Australian TV show Today.
Bradbury said two men came across the suitcase when they stopped for a driving break over the weekend, Today reported, per the BBC.
“They were affected yesterday and we will be in touch to let them know that it was not human remains,” she added.
Police have now closed their investigation into the discovery of the doll. However, they are looking into how long it had been abandoned and exploring the possibility of the doll being linked to a nearby dumped car, per 7 News.
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