New South Wales Police officers have found missing father-of-one Hemi Stewart dead face down in a Sydney creek, prompting a major detective investigation into his disappearance and death.
The 44-year-old was discovered on Friday morning during a police search of bushland near Torry Burn Reserve in Baulkham Hills, a residential suburb in the Hills District of North Western Sydney.
Police had issued an urgent public plea for assistance on Thursday after Mr Stewart was reported missing by his family. He was last seen alive leaving Stoke Street in Schofields, in Sydney's outer west, at 6am on August 3.
Family fears foul play
Following the discovery, relatives of Mr Stewart, who are based across Australia and New Zealand, told 9News that they strongly suspect foul play was a factor in his death.
"It's a horrible feeling, nobody will understand, you know, losing a loved one so young," his aunt, Wikitoria Roberts, said on Saturday. "It is what it is, but it's just not nice, not nice at all."
NSW Police Detective Acting Superintendent Michelle Mathieson said Mr Stewart's family members were left devastated by the discovery. "They are devastated, absolutely devastated at the death of their loved one," she said.
Detectives probe criminal past
Detectives from Strike Force Lanrik, a dedicated investigation unit established by New South Wales Police, have commenced inquiries to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the death and whether it was suspicious.
A key focus of the team's inquiries will center on Mr Stewart's past, including time he previously spent in jail as well as a home invasion incident that occurred last month.
"I'm not sure if that's relevant to his passing but it could be," Detective Acting Superintendent Mathieson said regarding his history.
Coronial inquiry and public appeal
A post-mortem examination is scheduled to be conducted in the coming days to formally determine his cause of death. Investigating officers will subsequently prepare a detailed report for the NSW State Coroner, the judicial body responsible for investigating sudden, unexpected, or violent deaths.
Detectives have appealed for anyone with information relevant to the investigation to come forward. Members of the public can contact Castle Hill Police Station directly or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, Australia's national confidential crime reporting hotline.
