Detectives hunting for her murderer have revealed 32-year-old Nicole Cartwright was beaten and bound before she was found dumped in a Sydney park.
Ms Cartwright's remains were found in Buffalo Creek Reserve at Hunters Hill a week ago by a council worker who was mowing the lawn.
Police relied on forensic testing to identify the victim and released her name on Wednesday.
Police released CCTV footage of the Sydney woman's movements. Source: Supplied
"We don't have a cause of death at this stage but she did suffer injuries ... suffice it to say they're consistent with assault," Detective Superintendent Scott Cook told reporters in Sydney.
"She was bound, with her hands tied in front of her body."
Homicide detectives are now racing against the time to discover what happened to Ms Cartwright in her final moments.
"Once they go beyond a couple of days in terms of investigation (most homicides) become more baffling, there's no doubt about that," Det Supt Cook said.
Police are appealing for any information about Ms Cartwright's final days. Source: Supplied
Her remains were found three days later, in the same clothes she was wearing that Sunday.
Police want to hear from anyone who may have seen Ms Cartwright travelling on the trains, who has dashcam footage of Pittwater Road or who was a friend of hers.
"People driving by may have captured something we don't know about.. quite possibly she was placed there on October 2 or early on October 3," Det Supt Cook said.
"We need the help of the community. One of their fellow citizens has been murdered in an outrageous way."
Ms Cartwright lived with her parents at Lansvale in Sydney's southwest and had a wide circle of friends.
Det Supt Cook says the family are "devastated" by their loss.
"She was well-liked, she was a free spirit," he said.
