Homicide detectives are still trying to figure out exactly how a woman whose battered body was found in a Sydney park died, as the hunt for her killer continues.
Nicole Cartwright's body was found bound and beaten at Buffalo Creek Reserve in Hunters Hill on October 3.
But a fortnight later, after an inconclusive autopsy, Homicide Squad Commander Scott Cook says police are waiting for the results of forensic tests to help determine exactly how the 32-year-old died.
"We are still waiting on some significant forensic material and analysis that will inform our steps in that investigation," he told reporters in Sydney on Friday.
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"We don't know the cause of death yet - that's the issue we need to resolve in the first instance."
Detective Superintendent Cook said forensic results often take time - sometimes months - depending on their complexity. He insisted the investigation was "proceeding quite well".
"It's troubling but it's not the end of the world," he said.
"We'll get through this, we've done it before, it doesn't matter how long it takes.
"We'll continue to investigate this and other murders to the fullest extent possible."
Ms Cartwright's family on Thursday said the 32-year-old had been a much loved and cherished member of the family.
Nicole brightened their lives with a radiance that "made you happy just being near her", the family said in the statement.
She was "kind and sweet but also bold and fun" with an infectious smile and contagious laughter,
Ms Cartwright was farewelled at a funeral at Gledswood on Wednesday.
Police previously released CCTV footage of the last time she was seen alive at Museum Railway Station at 9.30pm on September 30 - three days before her body was found in the same clothes.
Detectives have spoken with a large number of people and are able to account for Ms Cartwright's whereabouts for most of the long weekend of September 28 to 30.
However, they still need information on what happened to Ms Cartwright after September 30.
