Body of woman allegedly snatched from NSW home found by bushwalker

The body of an aged care worker allegedly snatched from her NSW home as she cooked dinner for her family on Tuesday has been found.

Renee Mitchell, aged in her 30s, was found by a bushwalker at a small park less than a kilometre from her Windale, Lake Macquarie home yesterday at 6.30am, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Still wearing the satin boxer shorts and shirt she was wearing while preparing the meal, her body was covered in blood.

Ms Mitchell was reported missing by family members when she suddenly vanished and failed to return for work.

They searched the streets for several hours following her disappearance on Tuesday night but were unable to find any clues.

Less than five hours after her body was found, a 66-year-old man was arrested in his car at Cardiff and was expected to be charged overnight.

Mrs Mitchell's death is now the focus of a police investigation.

Detectives believe the victim once helped care for the ageing father of the suspect, who is known to the Mitchell family.

Dylan Grainger, who was at the victim's Lachlan Street home on Tuesday night, told the newspaper that he left Mrs Mitchell in the kitchen to help a relative outside.

"Next thing we know, we went inside and she was just gone," he said.

"She was lovely. She did anything she could to help anyone out.

"I don't understand how anyone could hurt her."

The murder has left residents of the quiet community in shock.

"Everyone goes to bed with the chooks, nothing normally happens after 5pm," neighbour Adrienne Hawkins said.

"It has come as a bit of a shock, no trouble here whatsoever. No fights. Nothing."

Author: Chloe Ross, Approving editor: Simon Black
Source: Sydney Morning Herald