Twist in investigation of Melissa Caddick’s baffling death as DNA tests reveal the stomach flesh found on a south coast beach DOESN’T belong to the missing conwoman – so who is it?
Cops have confirmed remains found washed up on a NSW south coast beach are not those belonging to conwoman Melissa Caddick or a missing snorkeler.
Walkers on Friday night made the grisly discovery of remains believed to be a large piece of stomach flesh which included a belly button at Mollymook Beach.
The beach is located 150km from where Caddick’s decomposing foot was found wedged inside an Asics shoe on the sands of Bournda Beach leading police to confirm her death.
NSW Police announced on Tuesday afternoon preliminary testing had determined the remains are human but belong to a man.
Cops have confirmed remains found washed up on a NSW south coast beach are not those belonging to conwoman Melissa Caddick or a missing snorkeler
‘While it has been established the remains do not belong to Melissa Caddick or a 39-year-old man missing from the Batemans Bay area since January 25, further testing including comparative DNA testing will be undertaken to identify the remains,’ police said in a statement.
‘The DNA profile will be compared against the missing persons database, which contains the hereditary and genetic mapping of long-term missing people in NSW.’
The discovery dashes hopes the extensive search for the 39-year-old snorkeler from Canberra had found his remains.
He was last seen entering the water at Richmond Beach in the Murramarang National Park about 200km north of where Caddick’s foot was found.
The 39-year-old disappeared on January 25 with goggles, a snorkel and flippers at about 3pm, and was never seen again.
DNA from the remains will now be tested against the missing persons database.
Police are continuing to scour beaches on the NSW south coast for traces of Ms Caddick after her decaying foot was found south of Tathra on February 21.
Additional remains were found at Cunjurong Point on Saturday afternoon and Warrain Beach at Culburra on Sunday morning.
Police said on Monday evening they would forensically examine those remains to determine if they belonged to the 49-year-old Ms Caddick.
Additional remains found by members of the public at Tura Beach on Saturday have been confirmed to come from an animal.
Ms Caddick, who is alleged to have defrauded more than $20 million from investors, vanished the day after corporate watchdog ASIC executed a search warrant at her Dover Heights home on November 11.
Liquidators say the fraudster “meticulously and systematically” deceived those who entrusted millions of investment dollars to her over seven years, then used the money to fund her lavish lifestyle.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing on Friday told reporters foul play against Ms Caddick was possible but suicide was more likely.
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