Queensland Police investigate death of mother found near Mackay Harbour

Queensland Police have launched an investigation and public appeal following the discovery of 31-year-old Payge Leembruggen’s body near the Mackay Harbour North Wall on Tuesday morning. Ms. Leembruggen was found by a member of the public in the sand dunes at approximately 8:00 a.m.

She was last seen on Friday morning at a hair salon in Andergrove. Authorities are working to account for a four-day gap between her last sighting and the discovery of her body. While the cause of death is currently unknown, an autopsy has been scheduled to determine the circumstances.

Police and State Emergency Service (SES) crews are combing the bushland and beach areas for items of interest. Ms. Leembruggen, a mother of a five-year-old son, had previously sought housing assistance to establish a stable environment for her child following a domestic violence situation.