Prospect, NSW: Police ‘confident’ human remains of Nadire Sensoy, who was allegedly murdered in 2018, found

Police are “confident” they have found the remains of a woman missing for almost eight years.

Nadire Sensoy disappeared from her home in Prospect in Greater Western Sydney, on December 6, 2018.

The 71-year-old was reported missing by her family five days later.

On Thursday, investigators discovered human remains believed to be Mrs Sensoy, who they allege was murdered.

On Friday, Superintendent Darrin Batchelor said detectives excavated a section of Toongabbie Creek off Powers Road in Seven Hills, where they found a shallow grave.

“We’re confident that it is the body of Sensoy,” he said.

“I’ve seen the location this morning and it appears that it was a shallow gravesite.

“Sensoy’s body wasn’t too far under the ground, so the initial dig in that area from the excavator was quite quick to locate that body.”

The location was about six kilometres from her home.

Family members were contacted on Thursday news with the update, which came almost eight years since she disappeared without a trace.

“It was a very mixed emotion,” Superintendent Batchelor said.

“They did get comfort that her body had been located but obviously the emotions of reliving what had happened to their mother, they were quite upset at the same time.”

In 2020, police announced a $350,000 reward for information as part of an appeal for public assistance.

Searches for the woman spanned from Sydney to Turkey.

Blacktown Police Area Commander Superintendent Stephen Egginton said in 2020 that her disappearance was “puzzling”.

“Nadire is very much a family-oriented person – she’s a devoted mother to five, grandmother to 17 and great-grandmother to four,” he said.

“Mrs Sensoy is not the type of person to just up and leave without telling anyone.

“Our investigators have been told that, before she was reported missing, she had planned appointments; however, she did not attend.

“We’re continuing to follow up all lines of inquiry, including the grim possibility that Mrs Sensoy may have met with foul play.”

A coronial inquest into the woman’s death began on March 13, 2023 but was later suspended after police said “new information came to light”.

Just over a week later, on March 21, a 47-year-old man was arrested at Wagga Wagga Police Station in relation to her death.

He was charged with murder (DV).

Police allege the man murdered Mrs Sensoy, who was known to him, around Blacktown between December 6 and 11, 2018.

The remains found on June 11 are undergoing forensic examination to formally identify the person; however, police believe they are those of Mrs Sensoy.

Investigations are ongoing.

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.