The woman whose body was found in bushland at Menai yesterday afternoon was a former student at prestigious Sydney Girls High School.
Najma Carroll's Facebook page says she attended the selective high school for academically gifted students.
The 2004 Higher School Certificate distinguished achiever's list mentions Najma Frances Carroll as receiving the top band in two subjects.
Najma Carroll is also listed on LinkedIn as a University of Sydney student.
Now police are left to piece together how she came to be found in bushland near Sandy Point Quarry, off Heathcote Road, Menai, by a member of the public late yesterday afternoon.
They have issued an appeal for anyone who may have known Ms Carroll or had any information about her last movements to come foward.
Ms Carroll, 33, had not been reported missing prior to the discovery of her body, Sutherland Shire Police Area Command Acting Superintendent Steve Patton said at a press conference outside Sutherland police station this afternoon.
"She had not been reported missing. She was in contact with her family from time to time," he said, adding her family were upset to learn of her death.
Acting Superintendent Patton also confirmed Ms Carroll was known to police.
"Sutherland Police along with the Homicide Squad have set up Strike Force Dalcassia to investigate the circumstances around this woman's death and we are treating it as suspicious at this stage," Acting Superintendent Patton said.
Police are also keen to speak with anyone who had frequented the area of bushland known as 'white rock' recently or who may have seen anything suspicious in the area.
Acting Superintendent Patton said the scene was still being processed by police this afternoon. He said the recent heavy rains had made the job difficult and police were yet to move her body from the bushland where it was found.
"It's muddy and it's hard work out there," he said.
"We are asking for anyone who is an associate or knows Ms Carroll if they could contact us here at Sutherland police station or CrimeStoppers," he said.
Police were called to bushland just before 5.15pm yesterday after a woman's body was found by a member of the public. A crime scene was established and forensic police were brought in.
Police said Ms Carroll was most recently known to reside in Sydney's inner west.
Details: Phone Sutherland Police on 9542 0899 or Crime Stoppers, 1800 333 000.
