‘It’s horrific’: Smell alerted neighbours to body found on Sydney’s lower north shore

A human torso found in a couch dumped in bushland on Sydney’s lower north shore is believed to have been there at least a couple of days before its smell prompted reports to police.

The remains of the adult man who is yet to be identified were discovered in bushland off Avian Crescent, Lane Cove North, about 2.30pm on Wednesday.

Police, including forensic specialists, established a crime scene as they began investigating with assistance from homicide detectives following an anonymous tip that led officers to the scene, where the torso was found inside a storage compartment in a couch about five metres off the road.

The body was taken to Lidcombe for forensic examination, which confirmed it belonged to an adult man.

NSW Police Superintendent Paul Devaney said the torso was found “devoid of head, arms and legs”.

It was not yet clear to officers if the couch had been in the area before the torso was put inside it. Devaney said there was no indication the man had died at the crime scene.

“There was a smell,” Devaney said.

“There were some signs that they’ve been there for at least a couple of days.”

A police source told this masthead the torso still had hair, suggesting it may not have been in the area for much longer than that.

“It’s quite horrific really … we’re a bit shocked,” local Marianne Bastiani told Nine News on Thursday morning.

She said it was a friendly community where people help one another.

“It’s really sad to see,” Bastiani said.

Resident Sophie Fattouh said there had been no suspicious activity on the street prior to police alerting them to the crime scene.

“It’s it is disturbing, and it’s shocking as well,” she said.

“It’s very peaceful and it’s a very friendly neighbourhood.”

Her husband Ken told Nine News they had lived in their house about 14 years.

“We haven’t heard or haven’t seen anything like it, so it is a bit, sort of worrying.”

Devaney said the quiet area had a “probably nil” crime rate.

“So it’s very unusual activity,” he said, reassuring locals he was confident “they’re not under any threat”.

The torso was found near the Lane Cove River, in extensive remnant bushland containing multiple walking tracks near Mowbray Park.

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