Woman's body found on Melbourne football field in Carlton North
Police in Melbourne are investigating whether the body of a woman found on a football field on Wednesday morning is connected to a sexual assault at the same location several months earlier.
A passerby made the grim discovery at a pitch between Royal Parade and Princes Park Drive in Carlton North shortly before 3am on Wednesday, police said.
Emergency services were called and paramedics worked on the woman, who is yet to be formally identified, but she was not able to be revived.
Sign up to receive the top stories from Guardian Australia every morning Police set up a tent in the middle of the field on Wednesday morning and could be seen scouring the area. The park is popular with cyclists and contains a running track used at all hours of the day. The Carlton football club is also based in the park.
A homicide squad acting inspector, Andrew Stamper, told reporters investigators were examining whether the death was linked to a sexual assault in the same area in March.
A woman attacked about 2.35am in the morning by a man who grabbed her from behind and sexually assaulted her. She managed to break free and run to a nearby property where police were called.
“We’re aware of that matter and we have been liaising with our colleagues at the sexual crimes squad,” Stamper said. “At this stage we have an open mind but obviously we will be considering that matter in relation to this matter. We don’t know if they’re linked at this stage.”
Stamper said the woman’s death was being treated as suspicious.
A pair of black shoes were seen near a police tent that was erected on the field, which has been cordoned off by police tape. Police would not comment on the shoes or whether the woman had physical injuries or had been sexually assaulted.