A mum-of-seven who died after going for a late-night dip on a Sydney beach has been named.
Vanessa Travers from Matraville in Sydney’s south was found dead late on Thursday night after a passer-by spotted her body in the water.
Tributes have been paid to the mother by friends and family after she was pulled from the water and an extensive search and rescue operation carried out.
Tributes have been paid to Vanessa Travers after her body was found at Maroubra beach
Police and life saving teams were sent to the beach at Maroubra in south Sydney
The mother, who was a South Sydney Rabbitohs fan, was described as someone who would help out people in her community.
Barry O’Rourke said: ‘Rip Aunty Vanessa Travers. Love you and going to miss you so much. Can’t explain how shattered I am you’re gone.’
Friend Jason Bryant added: ‘RIP Vanessa Travers friends for 33yrs you will be sadly missed.’
But she is also known in the area for different reasons.
Last year, her two sons Ray and Jackson Travers were charged with the murder of 68-year-old homeless man Peter Hoffman and are awaiting trial.
The search for another person by police and the Westpac rescue helicopter was called off on Friday afternoon.
The mother, who was a South Sydney Rabbitohs fan, was described as someone who would help out people
But she was renowned for less positive reasons after two of her sons were arrested on suspicion of killing a homeless man last year
Ms Travers was a mother of seven and said to be a big member of the Maroubra community
Ms Travers’ two sons Ray and Jackson Travers (pictured left) were charged with the murder of 68-year-old Peter Hoffman (right)
It was sparked after a second pile of clothes was found on the beach close to where Ms Travers was found dead in the sand.
But officers have concluded she was alone.
She was discovered at the north end of Maroubra beach, near the intersection of Maroubra Road and Marine Parade, just after midnight on Friday.
‘She was an amazing lady, she always looked after everyone else before herself,’ Keira-Lee Dobbie said according to the Daily Telegraph.
The Westpac search and rescue helicopter was scrambled to take part in the search for a second person
A full scale search and rescue operation was initiated after the body was found on Friday morning
Police are not treating her death as suspicions, but investigations are ongoing.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
A spokesman for the New South Wales Police Foirce said: ‘Police are investigating after the body of a woman was found at Maroubra beach overnight.
‘Officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command were called to the north end of Maroubra Beach, near the intersection of Maroubra Road and Marine Parade about 12.10am (Friday, February 23) after a passer-by found the body of a woman.’
Swimmers have been warned not to go in the sea after dark because of difficulty in detecting the surf
Lifesaving teams have warned swimmers not to go out to sea after dark.
Stephen Leahy, from Westpac Rescue Helicopters, told Nine News: ‘After dark beaches aren’t patrolled and it’s difficult to see what the surf conditions are like. Don’t go swimming after dark.’
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000.
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.