Stephanie Scott's body formally identified
The body of murdered New South Wales school teacher Stephanie Scott has been formally identified.
But despite the remains having been burned, experts say investigators may still find crucial clues as to how Ms Scott died.
ABC News reports NSW Health Pathology has confirmed that Ms Scott’s remains had been transported to Sydney for formal identification and the process has now been completed.
The murdered 26-year-old’s body was found burnt in a national park about 70 kilometres from the Central West town of Leeton where she was reported missing more than a week ago.
Leeton High School cleaner Vincent Stanford has been charged with her murder and remains in police custody. He worked at the same school as Ms Scott.
News Corp reports forensic expert David Ranson from Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine believes the remains may still reveal significant details of the events leading to the victim's murder, despite the damage caused by fire.
"There could be considerable heat damage where the fire has burned through the skin, the fat and muscle tissue but the organs can still be examined,” Dr Ranson said.
"We’ve seen all of these things over the years ... it’s very hard to completely hide something.”
Police confirmed on Friday that the body found in the Cocoparra National Park near Griffith was that of the missing teacher.
The tragic discovery came after a weeklong search for the missing woman, who vanished as she was making final preparations for her wedding to Aaron Leeson-Woolley, which was supposed to occur on Saturday.
The grief stricken community of Leeton has rallied around Mr Leeson-Woolley and the Scott family in the wake of the tragedy,
On Saturday hundreds gathered in a Leeton Park to remember the popular school teacher on a day that should have been the happiest of her life.
Her family thanked the community for their support and vowed to restore Stephanie Scott’s dignity now that her body has been recovered.
National news break – April 14
