Three men have been described as people of interest at an inquest into the death of a woman whose bones were found in and near a sports bag at the bottom of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs in Brisbane in September 2018.
Constance Watcho, 36, was reported missing by family members in February 2018, three months after she last used her bank account.
Warning: This story contains an image of an Indigenous person who has died and details some may find distressing
A coronial inquest into Ms Watcho's death began before coroner Stephanie Gallagher in Brisbane on Monday to establish when and how she died and to identify anyone involved in her death.
Detective Sergeant Benjamin Henderson from the Dutton Park CIB told the coroner's court the police investigation had focused on Ms Watcho's partner Sam Sobczak "and the persons she resided with at the time", who were Dallas Bandman and another man.
The men lived in a unit near where Ms Watcho's remains were found.
All three of them will be called to assist the inquest later this week.
When asked by counsel assisting the coroner, Sarah Lio-Willie, if it was fair to describe the men as people of interest, Detective Sergeant Henderson replied "yes".
He told the inquest the mother-of-10's head and body had been found inside the bag and her arms and lower legs were located outside of it close by.
He said scientific investigations had been unable to determine a cause of death and that Ms Watcho's body had been dismembered in a way that avoided leaving tool impressions on her bones.
Forensic pathologist Dr Andrew Reid examined Ms Watcho's remains and told the inquest that in his opinion her body had been dismembered with a sharp instrument.
"A reasonable degree of skill would appear to have been used – the joints were identified," he said.
"It wasn't done randomly or recklessly … the limbs weren't chopped off, they were dissected."
"It all could have been done with a sharp blade or knife."
When questioned by lawyer James Benjamin, who is representing some of Ms Watcho's children, Detective Sergeant Henderson said while homicide detectives had been assisting with the police investigation, they had not assumed control of the case.
"I couldn't say that it was a murder because we did not know the cause of death – but we treated it as suspicious," he said.
Mother remembered by her children
In a statement to the coroner's court Ms Watcho's daughter spoke of her love for her mother.
"Mum, you were taken away from us too early and too soon and we don't know why," she said.
"We feel your spirit and we will fight for honour and justice for your life.
"We will never be at peace until the person or persons responsible for your murder are found."
Her son recalled growing up in Cherbourg and playing in the playground.
"Your life was more than those who took you from us – we will continue to fight for your rights and justice," he said.
Ms Watcho's children requested that a remembrance plaque be erected where her body was found.
Police investigation has been 'inappropriate', children's lawyer says
Sisters Inside founder and solicitor for some of Ms Watcho's children, Debbie Kilroy, said the family wanted justice for their mother.
"It's been nearly five years now since Ms Watcho disappeared and it's just not good enough," she said outside court.
She said the police investigation so far has been "inappropriate" and "appalling" to deem her death as suspicious, but not a murder.
"Until the police step up and do the work that needs to be done and charge those that are responsible for her death, there will be no justice, no peace for her children," she said.
"They remember the good times with their mother, the love they have for their mother, and their mother's love and they will carry those memories forever after.
"They need justice to be able to move on and hold onto those wonderful memories … not be stuck in this pattern of trauma, grief and loss about what actually happened to her."
The inquest has been set down for five days and is due to hear from 21 witnesses, including 18 associates who may have had contact with Ms Watcho before she died.
