Glen Brook Dam: Police work to identify body found in wheelie bin at John Forrest National Park

Homicide detectives have begun the arduous task of trying to identify the man whose remains were found inside a wheelie bin floating in a dam — and more importantly who put him there. The main entrance to the Glen Brook dam east of Perth has been cordoned off as police vehicles and vans search the remote area of John Forrest National Park, while the police helicopter hovers overhead. A bus load of academy recruits, who arrived just before 10am this morning, are also helping detectives conduct a grid search of the expansive park area. A number of officers continue to patrol the roads surrounding the dam by foot, while others have taken up post at the front gate — where they are directing traffic and preventing hikers from entering taped off areas. As well as conducting a major air and land search, police will also likely face the onerous task of scouring through hours of CCTV footage. Surveillance cameras are installed throughout the national park, with signs warning visitors they are being watched. The dam is just under one kilometre inland from picnic tables and play areas where families and tourists come to enjoy a day at the park. Visitors have arrived all morning for the Australian Day public holiday — unaware of the crime scene at the Glenn Brook dam — and dozens of cars have been turned away. One young couple said they came out to go for a hike and a picnic on their day off. “We drove almost an hour to get here... yeah we didn’t know it would be closed, they need signs,” the man said. A foul smell led a group of teenagers to the wheelie bin containing a man’s remains, that was found floating in the national park dam at 12.30pm yesterday. The bin, pictured with a pink bag with the remains inside protruding from the top, was taken out of the dam by several officers in waist-high water after it was found metres from the shoreline. It is believed the group of teenagers was accompanied by an adult when they made the horrific discovery.. It is expected all will be offered counselling. . Once the bin was brought to shore, forensic officers began taking photos. Police divers were also needed at the scene. It is expected investigators could be at the dam for several days. Depending on how long the bin and the remains have been in the water, it could take days to determine key information. Police this morning released a statement saying “investigations into the identity of the victim are ongoing”. “Just after 12.35pm police were called to Glen Brook Dam, located within the John Forrest National Park, after the man’s body was discovered in a partially submerged wheelie bin,” it read. “Detectives would like anyone who saw the bin in the dam or has seen any suspicious activity in the Park Road, Hovea, near the Glen Brook dam, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au.