Woman whose body was left in house ‘for weeks’ identified

The body of a woman whose death police allege was a homicide might have been left in an Ipswich house for weeks.

Police were called to Beryl Court in the suburb of Bellbird Park on February 19 over a person causing a disturbance on the street.

There they discovered the remains of 42-year-old Katherine Sanowski in a house.

Police believe her body had been in the home for about two weeks, Detective Inspector Michael Manago said.

Sanowski did not live at the Bellbird Park address.

Neighbours said a person had been seen pacing on the street for days, always wearing the same clothes.

“We were called to a disturbance that related to some property being damaged and a person interfering with traffic out in the street,” Manago said.

A 34-year-old resident of the address was taken into custody before being transported to hospital.

That person, who was still awaiting a medical assessment, has not been interviewed by detectives.

A homicide investigation was under way after a post-mortem examination of Sanowski identified suspicious elements, Manago said.

Sanowski, who lived in Springfield Lakes, had been in regular contact with her family, and had not been reported missing.

While she and the person taken into custody were known to each other, the dynamics of their relationship were a key part of the police investigation.

Police said they were not related to each other.

“We don’t believe there’s anyone else involved,” Manago said. “However, we’re keeping an open mind.”

Police have urged anyone who interacted with Sanowski this year, particularly this month, to contact police. Anyone who saw anything of note in the Bellbird Park area was also urged to come forward.

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