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Woman, 48, Found Dead in Car Outside Lake Illawarra Police Station; Body May Have Been There For Days

Woman, 48, Found Dead in Car Outside Lake Illawarra Police Station; Body May Have Been There For Days

A 48-year-old woman was found dead inside a car parked outside Lake Illawarra Police Station in Oak Flats on Dec. 5; first responders were unable to revive her. Preliminary evidence suggests the body may have been at the scene since Dec. 2. The site was declared a critical incident, and a specialist South Coast Police District team is leading the probe. The inquiry will be independently reviewed and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, with a report to be sent to the coroner. Authorities also noted a concurrent heatwave, with nearby temperatures approaching 100°F (about 38°C).

Woman Found Dead In Vehicle Outside Police Station

A 48-year-old woman was found dead inside a parked vehicle outside the Lake Illawarra Police Station in Oak Flats, New South Wales, on Dec. 5. Police officers discovered the body at about 4:30 p.m. local time; first responders assessed her but "she could not be revived," the New South Wales Police Force said in a statement.

Preliminary examinations indicate the body may have been at the location since approximately Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m. Local reporting suggests the deceased was a member of the public rather than someone in police custody. Authorities have not released the woman's identity pending family notification and coroner procedures.

Critical Incident: The scene was sealed and formally declared a "critical incident," a designation the Trauma Centre of Australia defines as a traumatic event or threat that causes extreme stress, fear or injury.

A specialist team from the South Coast Police District has been assigned to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. The NSW Police Force said the investigation will undergo independent review by the Professional Standards Command and be overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission; a file will then be forwarded to the coroner.

Authorities noted the region was experiencing a heatwave at the time of discovery. Temperatures at nearby Albion Park approached 100°F (about 38°C), a factor investigators may consider as they piece together the timeline.

When contacted, a spokesperson for the New South Wales Police Force said there were no further details to share while inquiries continue. The investigation remains active and police urged anyone with information to come forward.

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