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

They discovered the remains of 42-year-old Katherine Sanowski in a house on the street.

Police believed her body was inside the home for about two weeks, Detective Inspector Michael Manago said.

Sanowski did not live at the Bellbird Park home.

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.

Officers took a 34-year-old resident of the address into custody, who was taken to a hospital.

That person is yet to have a medical assessment and has not been interviewed by detectives.

A homicide investigation was under way after a postmortem exam identified suspicious elements, Manago said.

The Springfield Lakes woman 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 in February, to contact police. Anyone who saw anything of note in the Bellbird Park area was also urged to come forward.

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