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By KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA

Published: 22:46, 9 August 2026 | Updated: 00:36, 10 August 2026

Two men on a scenic weekend drive were the first to discover a body in a suitcase in remote bushland near a rural road in the NSW Southern Tablelands.

Police were called to the grisly discovery on Wolgon Road in Oallen, 60 kilometres south of Goulburn, at 12.50pm on Sunday.

The decomposed remains are yet to be formally identified but are believed to be those of a woman.

‘A crime scene has been established, and the suitcase has been seized to undergo forensic examination,’ a NSW Police statement read.

Superintendent Linda Bradbury said the men came upon the grisly scene by chance.

‘They were out on a weekend drive, as a lot of people do, when they stopped for a break and found it,’ she told Channel Nine’s Today show on Monday.

‘Quite a shocking discovery for them, absolutely.’

It remains unclear how long the remains had been at the location, but their condition suggests the body had been there for some time. 

Police have launched an investigation after a body was found inside the suitcase

The grim discovery was made by members of the public 

A couple on a scenic drive found the body near a roadside in southern NSW

The body was removed from the scene on Sunday night. 

Police are now working to match the remains with any outstanding missing persons on record.

‘We’re conducting a number of enquiries to assist us in locating the identification of the female, and also how she ended up in that location,’ Supt Bradbury said.

‘But we are relying a lot on forensic evidence. Unfortunately, the female remains have been subject to a state of decomposition.’  

Police spent much of Sunday night at the scene, where the investigation was hampered by freezing temperatures, heavy rain, and wind.

The remote location where the body was discovered has also complicated the investigation.

There is no phone signal in the area, which means police cannot trace mobile devices that may have been nearby.

There is also no CCTV coverage in the area.

Police remained at the scene on Sunday night, where the investigation was hampered by heavy rain

It remains unclear how long the remains had been at the location

Detectives have established Strike Force Bryton to investigate the death in assistance from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.

Police are expected to provide an update on Monday morning. 

Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area or along the Hume Highway in recent days is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.