Girl’s body found in Sydney bay after father pulled from water

A quiet strip of the Parramatta River became a search ground on Saturday after a man was found dead in the water off Bayview Park at Concord and the young daughter believed to have been with him was later recovered by police divers.

NSW Police said emergency services were called to the inner-west foreshore shortly before 11.45am on Saturday, June 13, after reports a man’s body had been found in waters off Bayview Park. Officers from Burwood Police Area Command were told the man had been seen in a small boat with a child shortly before he was discovered.

A command post was set up on the riverbank and a major search began. ABC News reported that Marine Area Command, police divers and the police aviation command were brought in as crews worked the bay through the afternoon. About 5.30pm, divers found the child’s body.

The pair had not been formally identified by police on Sunday morning. Investigators said the man was believed to be in his 40s and the girl was believed to be six or seven. ABC reported the child was seven and that police were examining the boat as part of the inquiry.

What happened before the bodies were found remains the hard, unanswered part. Police have not laid out a final theory. ABC reported investigators were looking at whether the deaths were accidental, intentional, or domestic violence-related. Superintendent Christine McDonald described the case as a tragedy for the family and the wider community.

For now, the public record is stark: a man found in the river before midday, a child missing from a small boat, a long search, and by dusk two lives gone. Officers are supporting the child’s mother while inquiries continue.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Police reminded the public not to pass information through NSW Police social media pages.

Sources: NSW Police; ABC News; Guardian Australia live updates.