Police want to speak to Brazilian man after Cecilia Haddad's body found in Sydney river

Police want to speak to a man who left Australia over the weekend and was involved with Brazilian woman Cecilia Haddad, who was found dead in a Sydney river.

A supplied undated image obtained Wednesday, May 2, 2018 of 38-year-old Brazilian National Cecilia Haddad.

A supplied undated image of 38-year-old Brazilian National Cecilia Haddad. Source: NSW Police

Police want to speak with a man who left Australia at the weekend when the body of murdered Brazilian executive Cecilia Haddad was found in a Sydney river.

Kayakers found Ms Haddad's fully-clothed body floating in the Lane Cove River at Woolwich, on Sydney's lower north shore, on Sunday morning about six kilometres from her Ryde home.

Forensic pathologists on Wednesday conducted a post-mortem on Ms Haddad's body. The findings have yet to be released.

Investigators on Wednesday evening confirmed they were trying to reach a man known to Ms Haddad who flew home to Brazil over the weekend.

The exact nature of their relationship is unclear but Sydney media reports suggested he was a friend or former lover.

Detectives plan to interview the man once he is located, NSW Police told AAP.
Flowers are seen near the Lane Cove River where it is believed the body of Brazilian woman Cecilia Haddad was found fully clothed, in Sydney, Wednesday, May 2, 2018.
Flowers are seen near the Lane Cove River where it is believed the body of Brazilian woman Cecilia Haddad was found fully clothed, in Sydney, Wednesday, May 2 Source: AAP
Investigators spent Wednesday poring over forensic reports, phone records, security camera footage and witness statements searching for a clue to her murder.

Earlier in the day, they said the key to finding the popular 38-year-old's killer could be her distinctive Italian car. They said her red 2013 model Fiat 500 sedan was found parked at West Ryde train station on Sunday afternoon.

Ms Haddad was at a barbecue on Friday night and made her last known phone call to a friend between 8am and 9.30am on Saturday, Detective Acting Inspector Ritchie Sim said.

Ms Haddad's ex-husband, who detectives believe was in Perth at the time of her death, is co-operating with the investigation and travelling from Western Australia to formally identify her body.


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Published 3 May 2018 6:06am
Updated 3 May 2018 9:00am


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