Tragedy At Mackay’s North Wall Beach Woman In Her 30s Found Deceased

Mackay’s popular North Wall Beach was the scene of a sombre discovery on Tuesday, sparking shock among locals as police were seen patrolling the area on a buggy to access the beach. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara  

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A 31-year-old woman, identified as Payge Leembruggen, was found deceased near Mackay Harbour North Wall shortly after 8am on Tuesday 15^th September, with police seen throughout the day investigating amongst the sand dunes to the far left of the recently renovated section of the beach. 

Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch detectives had appealed for public assistance as investigations continued into the circumstances and cause of her death.

However, an update from the Queensland Police Service emerged shortly after 1pm on Friday, September 18, confirming the death of the Mount Jukes woman is now being treated as non-suspicious.

On the morning of the incident, emergency services were called just after 8am after a member of the public located Payge. Police later confirmed the man who discovered her was exercising with his two dogs and regularly uses the area. 

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Mackay police were seen throughout the day patrolling the area and accessing the beach via a buggy, with multiple officers present among the sand dunes. 

On Wednesday 16th September, Detective Senior Sergeant Emma Novosel confirmed investigations were continuing, with police yet to establish how Payge died, whether she died at the location or whether her body had been moved there. 

There was also no confirmed time of death at the time of the update. 

Police also commenced a search of the surrounding bushland with assistance from the State Emergency Service, looking for any items of interest that could assist detectives in determining what happened to Payge and how she came to be at the location. 

At the time of the update, police said no evidence or items of interest had been located outside of the discovery of Payge’s body. 

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Payge was last seen at a hair salon on Celeber Drive in Andergrove at approximately 8.55am on Thursday 11^th September. 

She was described as Caucasian, approximately 178cm tall, with brown hair, and was last seen wearing a white top, bright red trousers and a red bow in her hair. 

Police appealed for anyone who may have seen or had contact with Payge between September 11th and September 15th, or anyone who may have information that could assist the investigation, to come forward. 

Detective Senior Sergeant Novosel said, “If anyone has seen her or anyone’s had contact with Paige between the 11th of September and yesterday, the 15th of September, we’d encourage them to contact us,”  

The discovery has prompted concern among some local residents online, with questions circulating on social media about the circumstances surrounding the death and some community members expressing concern about walking alone in the area. Police confirmed North Wall Beach remained safe for public use while investigations continued. 

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