Australia Australia - Tumbulgum, NSW, Male 50-70, Tweed River in sleeping bag, Nov'12

[JLZ]

I think I can see two seams, indicating a box-shaped construction or else that the top side is narrower than the under. A cushion from a boat cabin bench? We don't know about the opening? Has it been ripped open, or does/did it have a side zip, or a draw-string arrangement at the top?

I don't take the sheet to mean the man was sleeping in the bag. Perhaps he died on the sheet and it had to be disposed of like the body, or perhaps it was used to wrap the man to make it easier to get him into the bag.

 

[Bohemian]

I think I can see two seams, indicating a box-shaped construction or else that the top side is narrower than the under. A cushion from a boat cabin bench? We don't know about the opening? Has it been ripped open, or does/did it have a side zip, or a draw-string arrangement at the top?

I don't take the sheet to mean the man was sleeping in the bag. Perhaps he died on the sheet and it had to be disposed of like the body, or perhaps it was used to wrap the man to make it easier to get him into the bag.

It makes sense that the 'bag' would be custom made for something like a bench for a boat, caravan or even Kombi-type vehicle.

I was thinking along the lines of your second point last night, ie, the sheet being used as a loose 'shroud'.

I've also thought that, if he was closer to the maximum age of 70 and, seeing as there must be no obvious signs of trauma if police don't know how he died, he may have died of natural causes. Just why someone would put his remains in a watery grave, in that case, is anyone's guess.

I wonder if there had been some flooding/rising river levels in the area in the preceding two weeks or so? In other words, could he have been either sleeping rough on the banks of one of the rivers (there's a junction of the Tweed and Rous Rivers just before the Tumbulgum Tavern), passed away and his body washed downstream? Or buried in a shallow grave and his body uncovered and washed downstream by the current.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/T...!1s0x6b90fbcd0092c015:0x40609b49043fe80?hl=en

 

[Bohemian]

Could the 'bag' be made from repurposed curtain material? I still keep coming back to the 'country cottage' look.

 

[JLZ]

Sand bags are used to counter erosion in the Tweed River area.

 

[JLZ]

The bag could be a good size for a sleeping bag cover. If a sleeping bag's about 1m wide, and you roll it up starting from one short end, you'd need a bag well over a metre long to slip it into, to allow for the thickness of the cylinder.

Nup. I don't like it either.

1001 uses for a bag.

 

[symbah]

The bag could be a good size for a sleeping bag cover. If a sleeping bag's about 1m wide, and you roll it up starting from one short end, you'd need a bag well over a metre long to slip it into, to allow for the thickness of the cylinder.

Nup. I don't like it either.

1001 uses for a bag.

Like a home made swag bag? This one for purchase has the same measurements.

http://www.sacampingcentre.com.au/jollyswags.htm

Swag Bag Double 60cm x 165cm (2' x 5' 5")

 

[JLZ]

What do you make of the right-angled tearing? Do you think a handle was attached there at some point, and tore because the bag was too heavy?

 

[Bohemian]

Like a home made swag bag? This one for purchase has the same measurements.

http://www.sacampingcentre.com.au/jollyswags.htm

Swag Bag Double 60cm x 165cm (2' x 5' 5")

Good find, symbah. There are a few more examples here

http://www.wildearth.com.au/shop/swags/swag-carry-bags/1603

 

[Bohemian]

What do you make of the right-angled tearing? Do you think a handle was attached there at some point, and tore because the bag was too heavy?

Could be. I can't think of another reason for the tear, unless it was due to being snagged on something in the river or when being retrieved. A more 'forensic' description of the 'bag' by police would be helpful.

 

[symbah]

Just came across this article from the Tweed Daily News dated 14.3.14 where Insp Cullen states the bag wasn't a sleeping bag as initially thought.

http://www.tweeddailynews.com.au/news/no-leads-in-the-hunt-for-identity/2198979/

While initial reports suggested the man was found in a sleeping bag, Insp Cullen said otherwise.
He said the bag was uniquely patterned and appeared to be handmade.
"It wasn't a sleeping bag," Insp Cullen said.
"It's like a cover off furniture."

 

[Bohemian]

Just came across this article from the Tweed Daily News dated 14.3.14 where Insp Cullen states the bag wasn't a sleeping bag as initially thought.

http://www.tweeddailynews.com.au/news/no-leads-in-the-hunt-for-identity/2198979/

While initial reports suggested the man was found in a sleeping bag, Insp Cullen said otherwise.
He said the bag was uniquely patterned and appeared to be handmade.
"It wasn't a sleeping bag," Insp Cullen said.
"It's like a cover off furniture."

Thanks symbah. That makes more sense than a 'sleeping bag'. Good old MSM, huh?

 

[eucalyptuz]

Just came across this article from the Tweed Daily News dated 14.3.14 where Insp Cullen states the bag wasn't a sleeping bag as initially thought.

http://www.tweeddailynews.com.au/news/no-leads-in-the-hunt-for-identity/2198979/

Thanks symbah! At that link I came across another link that has video footage of the bag (not for the faint-hearted) from a TV report:
http://www.tweeddailynews.com.au/news/body-in-bag-mystery-airs-leads-suggest-missing-fat/1981980/
Scroll to bottom for video...

 

[Bohemian]

Thanks symbah! At that link I came across another link that has video footage of the bag (not for the faint-hearted) from a TV report:
http://www.tweeddailynews.com.au/news/body-in-bag-mystery-airs-leads-suggest-missing-fat/1981980/
Scroll to bottom for video...

Brilliant JLZ and thanks for the warning. Having studied Forensic Bio, I'm afraid I am no longer affected by video footage/photographs of remains. It's more the thought of what they may have experienced at the end of their lives that affects me, especially violent deaths and particularly those of children.

 

[symbah]

Brilliant JLZ and thanks for the warning. Having studied Forensic Bio, I'm afraid I am no longer affected by video footage/photographs of remains. It's more the thought of what they may have experienced at the end of their lives that affects me, especially violent deaths and particularly those of children.

I feel the same Bo, especially where its been determined a child has suffered a shocking death or they're missing & its not known where they are or whats happened to them.

 

[JLZ]

Brilliant JLZ and thanks for the warning. Having studied Forensic Bio, I'm afraid I am no longer affected by video footage/photographs of remains. It's more the thought of what they may have experienced at the end of their lives that affects me, especially violent deaths and particularly those of children.

Actually, thanks and compliments to Eucalyptuz.

 

[PainExpress]

Something like this?

http://www.guideforeurope.com/sleepsheet.html


Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[Bohemian]

Actually, thanks and compliments to Eucalyptuz.

Oops! Thanks eucalyptuz!

 

[Bohemian]

Something like this?

http://www.guideforeurope.com/sleepsheet.html


Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Wow PE! It looks very much like the type of material. I can't make a side-by-side comparison on the device I'm using (unless it's tiny). Could someone else upload both photos please?

 

[symbah]

Something like this?

http://www.guideforeurope.com/sleepsheet.html


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It does look similar in design & size Pain Express & I wonder if Tumbulgum man had spent some transitory time staying in hostels where a sleep sheet like this one was required?

 

[Bohemian]

Something like this?

http://www.guideforeurope.com/sleepsheet.html


Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Sorry for repost but I thought about this and decided to call it into Crime Stoppers NSW. I hope you don't mind. They took the details to pass on to DI Cullen after looking at the MSM article and the link you provided, PE, and said to say thank you very much. I'll let you know if DI Cullen gets in touch.