Police investigating the horrific acid attack of a Sydney nurse have executed a search warrant on a pawn shop in the city’s west.
The body of Monika Chetty, a 39-year-old mother of three, was found in a bush reserve in West Hoxton, a suburb in south-west Sydney on January 3, 2014.
The qualified nurse, who was attacked with acid around a week earlier, suffered chemical burns to 80 per cent of her body.
She died 28 days later in the burns unit at Concord Hospital.
Mother-of-three Monika Chetty, 39, was found crying in pain in bushland at West Hoxton, 40km west of Sydney, on January 3, 2014
Detectives investigating the murder of Monika Chetty seized two hard drives from a pawn shop
A police officer outside a Sydney pawn shop where two computer hard drives were seized
Police on Wednesday confiscated a number of items from a pawn shop during the investigation
Officers from the Liverpool City Police Area Command formed Strike Force Lanlo after the incident and began a detailed investigation.
They believe Ms Chetty refused to seek medical attention for her wounds or alert authorities due to the fear of reprisals from her assailant or assailants.
Before her death, the homeless woman would beg for money, but would refuse offers of food or a place to sleep.
Acting on information generated by a recent public appeal, detectives executed a search warrant at a pawn shop in Sydney’s west about 3pm on Wednesday.
Officers suspect Ms Chetty had links to the business.
According to a police statement, detectives confiscated two computer hard drives and business records relating to the pawn shop and inquiries are continuing.
Ms Chetty (pictured with her parents) was believed to be living rough in the years leading up to her brutal death
When formally questioned in hospital following the brutal attack in 2014, Ms Chetty told detectives she was attacked by an unknown person at Bigge Park in Liverpool when she did not give him a cigarette – but officers cast doubt on her version of events.
Police instead believe she was so fearful of her attacker she purposely withheld his identity.
‘Imagine the pain of a highly corrosive acid, possibly hydrochloric, being thrown on most of your face and body,’ Detective Chief Inspector Dean Johnstone said at the time.
‘Monika held on in agony for more than a month before her body gave out. We have to find whoever did this.
Ms Chetty told detectives she was attacked by an unknown person at Bigge Park in Liverpool when she did not give him a cigarette, but officers do not believe her story (officers search for evidence in Liverpool)
‘This is a personal crime of extreme violence which adds to our belief that she knew who did this to her.’
Investigators understand Ms Chetty was involved in a marriage scam and believe it might be connected to the attack.
Detectives said Ms Chetty’s children, who attempted to reconnect with her before she died, are still desperate for answers.
Police have urged anyone with information to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Officers uncovered acid marks at West Hoxton, 10km from Bigge Park, suggesting Ms Chetty used public transport in the days following the attack (police search for evidence in Liverpool)