Detectives investigating the murder of Nicole Cartwright are renewing their appeal for information to establish Nicole’s movements in the 48 hours before her body was located.
A year ago today (Wednesday 3 October 2018), police were called to Pittwater Road, Hunters Hill, after the body of a woman was found wrapped in a bed sheet by a council worker in Buffalo Creek Reserve about 7.30am.
The woman was identified as 32-year-old Nicole Cartwright.
A post mortem examination was inconclusive; however, it revealed Nicole had suffered head injuries.
Further tests found traces of methylamphetamine in her system.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and Ryde Police Area Command established Strike Force Winkurra to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.
Ms Cartwright lived with her parents at Lansvale and had a wide circle of friends, often spending time in Sydney’s CBD, Eastern Suburbs, and surrounds.
Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Jason Dickinson, said strike force investigators are interested in speaking with any of Nicole’s associates to establish her activities and movements in the days leading up to her death.
“We know that Nicole was using online dating sites, applications, classified ads, and social media and had been involved in casual meetings resulting from her use of those sites in the weeks leading up to her death,” Det A/Supt Dickinson said.
“Investigators have spoken to several people who she met with during that period, but we are still piecing together her exact movements from Monday 1 October 2018 and when her body was found.
“Nicole’s last confirmed movements have been established and we know she travelled by train to Museum Railway Station on Sunday 30 September 2018, before meeting with people in the Paddington area about 9.45pm.
“We have her walking with a friend on Flinders Street, Paddington, about 10pm, before she left in a rideshare service on Moore Park Road about 12.30am on Monday 1 October 2018 and travelled to the vicinity of Robson Park on Crescent Street, Haberfield, which is her last known movement.
“Nicole had a very distinct style so we believe there are people who would have seen her,” Det A/Supt Dickinson said.
As part of their ongoing inquiries, strike force investigators have also released CCTV vision of 12 vehicles travelling on Pittwater Road, East Ryde, just before 6am on Wednesday 3 October 2018.
The vision also depicts a person walking on the footpath on Pittwater Road about 5.30am the same day, who police do not believe is involved, but they would like to speak to.
“Detectives have reviewed hours of CCTV and we believe these cars – which were travelling on a road about 800m from Buffalo Creek Reserve where Nicole’s body was found – may help us with our inquiries,” Det A/Supt Dickinson said.
“We hope a member of the community may able to assist us – either by recognising the person or cars or possibly captured them on a dash-cam.
“It has now been a year since this investigation began, and police would like to speak with anyone who has any information that may assist with our inquiries, including contact with or sightings of Nicole, and any knowledge of her associates.
“From the information we have gathered, it’s likely there are people who know what happened, even if they weren’t directly involved,” Det A/Supt Dickinson said.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Winkurra investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or . Information is treated in strict confidence.
