‘Tragic’: Sad detail after remains found in search for Nadire Sensoy, 72, missing from Sydney home since 2018

The grandmother was last seen in December 2018, with her “suspicious” disappearance sparking a major search and leading to a shock arrest.

The remains of a woman police allege was murdered by her son have been located in a shallow grave at a creek bed inSydney’s west, eight years after she was first reported missing.

Nadire Sensoy, 72, was last seen near her house in Upwey St, Prospect on December 6, 2018.

She was reported missing on December 11 the same year.

The grandmother vanished without a trace, with no record of her bank cards or recent use of her accounts, sparking major concern for her family.

In March 2023, her son Selim Sensoy was arrested and charged with her murder (DV).

The 47-year-old remains before the courts.

Remains believed to be Nadire Sensoy’s were found on Thursday. Picture: NSW Police
A renewed search for Ms Sensoy was launched on Tuesday at acreekbed on Powers Rd in Seven Hills.

Police found her remains two days later.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Superintendent Darrin Batchelor said police “never gave up” trying to find Ms Sensoy’s remains and “give some comfort to her family”.

“I have to acknowledge the tenacity and dedication of those detectives,” he said.

The body was found buried in a shallow grave at a creek bed “only a couple of metres off the road”.

“It appears that it was a shallow gravesite, if I can put it that way,” Superintendent Batchelor said.

“Mrs Sensoy’s body wasn’t too far under the ground.”

It was the third excavation attempt to try to locate Mrs Sensoy’s remains.

The remains are yet to be formally identified but are believed to be Mrs Sensoy.

“The remains will undergo forensic examination to determine the identity of the person; however, police believe they are those of the missing woman,” a police statement read.

“Police continue to await the outcome of the analysis.”
Investigations are continuing, but police allege the 47-year-old murdered the grandmother between December 6 and December 11, 2018 in the Blacktown area.

They are yet to determine a motive.

Her son Selim Sensoy was charged with her murder. Picture: NSW Police
“We will allege that it was domestic violence-related, and I won’t go into that further,” Superintendent Batchelor said.

He said more charges were possible for Mr Sensoy.

“The coroner’s court will now look at the remains of Mrs Sensoy and determine her cause of death,” he said.

“There may be further charges coming out of that.”

Superintendent Batchelor said Ms Sensoy’s family were “quite upset” by the news but relieved to find their mother’s remains.

“As you’d appreciate, it was a very mixed emotion,” he said.

“They did get comfort that her body had been located, but obviously, the emotions of reliving of what have happened to their mother. They were quite upset at the same time.”

Superintendent Batchelor said Ms Sensoy’s death was “tragic”.

“Any case of domestic violence and domestic homicide is tragic for the entire family,” he said.

“You have the victim in this, you have the (alleged) offender, but it affects the entire family and obviously the community that knew the victim.

“It’s a tragic incident and we now see an (alleged) offender before the courts.”

The 72-year-old’s remains were found in a shallow grave. Picture: NSW Police
NSW Police deemed her disappearance “suspicious” and announced a $350,000 reward for information leading to Ms Sensoy.

Superintendent Batchelor said the reward brought no new information into the investigation but it was still on the table.

“That reward is still available to any member of the public that wish to give information in relation to this investigation,” he said.

Speaking earlier in the search for the 72-year-old, Superintendent Stephen Egginton said it was “puzzling” no one had seen or heard from her.

“Nadire is very much a family-oriented person – she’s a devoted mother to five, grandmother to 17 and great-grandmother to four,” he said.

“Mrs Sensoy is not the type of person to just up and leave without telling anyone.”

The grandmother went missing in December 2018. Picture: NSW Police
Police were informed Ms Sensoy had appointments booked for the day she disappeared, but she never arrived.

“We’re continuing to follow up all lines of inquiry, including the grim possibility that Mrs Sensoy may have met with foul play,” Superintendent Egginton said.

A coronial inquest was ordered into the woman’s disappearance and suspected murder in March 2023, but it was suspended after more information about Mr Sensoy’s alleged involvement came to light.

Ms Sensoy’s daughter Sue said the most important step was locating her mother’s remains.

“She was a beautiful woman and everybody loved her,” she told 9News in 2023.

CRE: https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/crime/remains-found-in-search-for-nadire-sensoy-71-missing-from-sydney-home-since-2018/news-story/af484007666462911c68d9846b0dfb87