Lifelike doll with 'bruises and grazes' sparks mistaken Australian murder inquiry

Australian police launched a murder investigation after two men reported finding a body in a suitcase on a roadside. The discovery near Oallen, southwest of Sydney, sparked significant public interest.

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the item also had markings that resembled bruises and grazes

However, authorities quickly backtracked after forensic testing revealed the suitcase contained not human remains, but a highly realistic doll. The doll was described as lifelike, with clothing, hair, a nose piercing, and markings resembling bruises and grazes.

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mistaken for a human originally, so they are very realistic in terms of looking like human remains

Superintendent Linda Bradbury of the Hume Police District stated the doll was "mistaken for a human originally" due to its realism. She confirmed that while all investigative processes were followed, the contents were definitively not human. Bradbury expressed no regrets about the handling of the case, emphasizing the importance of maintaining crime scene integrity.

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But we've confirmed by other means that they are not.

The two men who found the suitcase were reportedly affected by the discovery. Police plan to inform them that the contents were not human remains. The investigation has since been closed.

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The idea is to not disturb crime scenes as much as possible, to maintain the integrity of our investigation