Homicide Squad detectives are continuing to appeal for information following the suspicious death of a Queensland grandmother earlier this year after locating her car in Brisbane’s north.
Wendy Hansen, aged 63, was last seen withdrawing cash from an ATM on Newton Street in Monto – about 170km west of Bundaberg, Queensland – on Thursday 29 February 2024.
When she failed to return home, and was unable to be located or contacted, officers attached to Queensland Police Service were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.
Following investigations, police obtained CCTV of Wendy driving south on the Bruce Highway near Wild Horse Mountain on the Sunshine Coast, about 2.30pm the same day.
Wendy was last seen driving in her silver 2007 two-door Mitsubishi Pajero with Queensland registration 645TCZ.
On Tuesday 18 June 2024, officers attached to Coffs/Clarence Police District located human remains half buried in bushland near Jordan Esplanade, Coffs Harbour.
Those remains have since been identified as belonging to Wendy Hansen, last seen almost 800km north of Coffs Harbour.
Detectives attached to State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad established Strike Force Osbox to investigate the suspicious death.
Following investigations and a public appeal for information strike force detectives located Wendy’s car in a carpark near Geebung Railway Station on Saturday 7 September 2024.
The vehicle was seized for forensic examination; however, personal items belonging to Wendy – including her mobile phone that she had when she went missing – were not located in the vehicle and remain missing.
As investigations continue, detectives are appealing to the public for any information, CCTV or dashcam footage that may assist the investigation to contact NSW Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Strike Force detectives are specifically appealing for any dashcam vision or information about Wendy or her car’s movements between February and June 2024.
Investigations under Strike Force Osbox continue.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
