A woman’s body has been found on the south coast of NSW, inside a car being driven by a man police believe was known to her.
At around 8.30pm on Wednesday evening police pulled over a car driving near Bermagui on NSW’s far south coast and discovered a woman’s body inside the car. The male driver fled the scene immediately and has not been found by police.
NSW police have established a crime scene around the abandoned car and the nearby area. The man was last seen fleeing into national park bushland near where the car was pulled over on Tathra Bermagui Road at Cuttagee Point.
Neither the deceased woman nor the male driver has been formally identified. However, police are investigating whether the body belongs to 35 year old Daniella D’Addario, who went missing from Canberra over the weekend.
Also missing is a man believed to be D’Addario’s partner, Josaia Vosikata, aged 27. The pair’s families reported them missing after not being able to contact them all weekend, which they said was out of character as the pair keep in regular communication with their respective families.
D’Addario and Vosikata were believed to be travelling to the south coast after visiting Casuarina Sands on Sunday. ACT police originally described the pair as a couple, but have since stated they will not comment on the nature of their relationship except that they know each other.
Police have been investigating their disappearance since early this week and calling for any members of the public who had seen them or their vehicle to come forward. Earlier this week, police said they did not suspect any foul play was involved in the disappearance.
“We’re concerned for their welfare and safety as the circumstances under which they went missing are very uncharacteristic of them both,” a police spokesperson said.
“There is no indication of any foulplay or any malfeasance that has occurred.”
However after the woman’s body was found on Wednesday night, police have stated that “Investigations into this incident, and possible links to a report of a missing woman from the ACT, are ongoing”.
Police have requested that anyone who sees a man fitting the description of the male driver of the car to report theirinformation to the police. The man is aged in his late 20s, with an athletic build and is of Pacific Islander or Maori appearance. When last seen, the man was wearing dark clothing.
If the body found last night is identified as D’Addario’s, she will become the 32nd woman to be killed as a result of violence against women since January 1, 2015. If it is determined that Vosikata is responsible for her murder, she will join the majority of these women who were killed by men known to them.
32 women killed as a result of violence in the space of just 16 weeks is 32 women too many.
Police have asked members of the public who have seen a man fitting this description or know where he is to not approach him but to call 000 immediately.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au In an emergency, call 000.