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Police investigate sand dunes death of Mackay mother

ABC News
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Crime

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Police are trying to fill in the last four days of Payge Leembruggen's life after her body was found at a Mackay beach.

Police say a woman found dead in the sand dunes at a Mackay beach on Tuesday morning was last seen alive four days ago.

Mackay Whitsunday Police Detective Inspector Emma Novosel said police were trying to fill in the gaps since 31-year-old Payge Faye Leembruggen left a hair salon last Friday.

A man walking his dogs on North Wall Beach found her just after 8am yesterday.

Inspector Novosel said Ms Leembruggen's death was unexplained and would be treated as until proven otherwise.

"Police are currently investigating the circumstances and cause of her death," she said.

"At the moment we don't know the cause of death. There is an autopsy that has been scheduled so, after that, we'll have further insight."

She was last seen in Celeber Drive in suburban Andergrove about 8:55am on September 11.

Inspector Novosel said Ms Leembruggen lived with her five-year-old son and extended family on a property at Mount Jukes, north of Mackay.

State Emergency Service volunteers were searching dense bushland at the top of the sand dunes, which police said was difficult to navigate.

Inspector Novosel said police had no safety concerns for the general public using the beach.

"The beach is safe for everyone to use," she said.

Ms Leembruggen was described as Caucasian, about 178 centimetres tall with long, dark hair tied up with a red bow or scrunchie.

The last time she was seen, she wore white shoes, distinctive red yoga pants with dark markings, and a white shirt that was tucked in or tied up at the front.

She was wearing a small backpack-style handbag.

Police asked anyone who saw her or spoke to her between September 11-15, or who had relevant dash cam footage, to contact them.

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