In brief
Police were called to a rural road in Australia after two men found a suitcase containing what appeared to be a body. Investigators announced a murder case, but forensic evidence later proved the contents were a realistic doll featuring clothes, hair and a piercing. Senior officer Linda Bradbury described the doll as resembling human remains in texture, yet lab tests confirmed it was a prop. The investigation was closed and authorities apologised for the misunderstanding caused to the community.
Two men were traveling along a rural lane near the village of Oallen, 230km south-west of Sydney, when they discovered a suitcase containing a figure that appeared to be a corpse.
The police were called immediately, and a crime scene was secured. A homicide investigation was announced that same afternoon.
Forensic testing later proved the figure was a realistic doll – complete with clothing, hair and a piercing – and the markings beside it mimicked bruises and grazes.
Senior officer Linda Bradbury said the doll looked like the texture of real human remains, but scientific tests confirmed it was a prop.
He added that no human body was present and the enquiry was closed, with police apologising for the distress caused to the locals and to those who reported the find.
