Police baffled by death of Melbourne woman found in African toilet block
The circumstances surrounding the death of Melbourne woman Elly Warren remain a mystery, after she was found dead in a toilet block in Africa earlier this week.
The 20-year-old Mordialloc woman had just finished six weeks as a volunteer for company Africa Underwater, diving with marine scientists off the coast of Mozambique.
Ms Warren was due to stay at the nation’s popular Tofo Beach but she was found dead last Wednesday.
Her family had been told she was raped and murdered.
She was due to return to Australia on Monday.
Despite this, Mozambique police have maintained Ms Warren was not raped and said she had no bruising and didn’t show signs of a struggle, according to The Age.
"It looks like a sudden death," police spokesman Detective Juma Dauto said.
"We are in doubt as to what could have happened."
Detective Dauto said Ms Warren’s body was found in a public change room near the beach about 5am.
He said police did not have any suspects following the death.
The Age reports police understand Ms Warren was alone before she died.
It’s claimed witnesses saw her go into the toilet block for up to half an hour.
An autopsy was set to be held in the Mozambique capital of Maputo.
Detective Dauto told The Age Ms Warren was not found naked and was wearing a swimsuit.
"She didn't have a scratch, didn't have a bruise on her indicating there was violence or rape. I guarantee it. I have total confidence she was not raped. The community here is shocked, this has never happened. Everybody wants to know what happened," he said.
He feared reports about Ms Warren’s death would give “the town a bad name, like it’s not safe.”
Ms Warren’s father Paul told 7 News his daughter's last words before she jetted off to Africa.
"She told me: 'It's dangerous dad, I don't know if I should be going over there’,” he said.
"And I said to her: 'Yes it is, very dangerous'."
It’s understood Ms Warren had been at a party with friends before her death, for some reason she left on her own before she was attacked.
Her father called those responsible “bastards”.
“You often wonder if there is a God,” he said.
"She was a lovely girl and now she’s gone. I’m never going to see her again.”
Ms Warren's family are urging the Australian Federal Police to travel to Mozambique to ensure there is a proper investigation.
“I hope they catch them,” Mr Warren said adding his daughter was “a treasure” who everybody loved.
They are traveling to Mozambique to bring home her body.
Friends and students from Parkdale Secondary College have remembered Ms Warren as a "fun-loving free spirit” who knew the risks of travel.
