The body of 25-year-old Rebecca Perkins was discovered in a room at the Overlander Motor Lodge, Gunnedah, on Tuesday morning, sparking a full police investigation.

Detectives from the state’s homicide squad spent yesterday assisting Oxley police, who set up Strike Force Neweena to piece together what happened.

It comes as a post-mortem examination was undertaken yesterday in a bid to determine the exact cause of death.

Late yesterday, Oxley crime manager Inspector Phil O’Reilly said investigators had spoken to a number of witnesses in Gunnedah.

“The future direction of the investigation will be influenced by the post-mortem examination results,” he said.

“It will take a little while before we get the full results.”

A man who was assisting police with their inquiries has been released and no charges have been laid.

“Because of the nature of the investigation, we have to conduct a thorough inquiry,” Inspector O’Reilly said.

The death has shocked the Gunnedah community where Ms Perkins lived, and prompted a number of tributes from locals who are trying to come to grips with her passing.

The motel room was still under police guard last night after crime scene officers from Tamworth, Dubbo and Inverell combed the motel for clues.

“We would urge anyone who had recent contact with the deceased, and hasn’t spoken to police, to contact us,” Inspector O’Reilly said.

- Northern Daily Leader