Police have ruled missing woman Lesley Trotter deceased after the 78-year-old was reported missing more than a week ago.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham confirmed on Friday morning that police believe Ms Trotter has died, but gave no details about her cause of death and said police do not know where her body is.
"Unfortunately, investigations yesterday afternoon and late into the evening have led us to the conclusion that Mrs Trotter is, in fact, deceased," he said.
"We believe her death occurred close to her unit block on Maryvale Street, Toowong, and we currently have two crime scenes set up in that area."
Superintendent Massingham — the regional crime coordinator for the Brisbane region — said it was believed that Ms Trotter died between midnight on Monday, March 27 and midday Tuesday, March 28.
He said more than 40 detectives were at the scene on Friday, continuing their investigations around Ms Trotter's apartment complex and a neighbouring unit block.
"I've requested that they speak to each and every occupant in terms of their memory of last Tuesday."
Superintendent Massingham said Ms Trotter often went through rubbish bins outside her property and at neighbouring properties, to sort recycling from general waste.
"We have not ruled out that this activity, in some way, is linked to her death," he said.
"I've requested that detectives from homicide join us on this matter, and they have kindly done that. At this stage, however, we do not know if the death is suspicious or not.
"It will take us some days to work through the evidence we have."
Police sources say rubbish bins from the apartment complex where Ms Trotter lived have been seized as part of the investigation.
They are urging anyone with CCTV or dash cam footage — or anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour around Maryvale Street around March 28 — to come forward.
