Google Earth offers clues on dumped body

MELBOURNE - Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a young woman whose body was found wrapped in plastic bags and dumped in the front yard of an empty Melbourne house.

The owner of the Springvale house in View Road and a friend discovered the body while working in the overgrown front yard about 11am (NZT 1pm) yesterday.

The body had been wrapped in blue plastic bags.

Police media spokesman Dave Spencer today told AAP homicide detectives would "pull out all stops" to find those responsible while evidence and people's memories were fresh.

Police have not so far been able to identify the woman but believe she's of Asian descent and aged between 20-30.

Police are also hoping a Google Earth tracking van can provide vital clues to the death of the young woman.

Detective Senior Sergeant Jeff Maher said police could not determine the cause of death or any injuries the woman may have suffered because the plastic bags were masking most of the body.

Det Maher said information provided to Crime Stoppers is helping police with their investigation, while they were also following other "promising" leads.

"We have other avenues of inquiries that look pretty promising," he said.

A Google Earth van that has been tracking the suburb for the past week may also provide strong clues.

"Google Earth has made satellite images of the area over the past week," Det Maher said.

"It's new technology and we might get something out of it."

He has urged anyone who saw someone appear to dump rubbish over the waist high fence to come forward.

- AAP