Photo: 123RF
NSW Police say the body of a woman found wrapped in plastic by a member of the public walking on a path near Sydney Airport may have been there for "weeks, if not months".
Police said investigators have been unable to identify the woman and the body was in a "severe" state of decomposition.
Homicide Squad commander detective superintendent Danny Doherty said police were notified at about 7.30am on Monday.
It is being treated as a homicide.
The area where the body was found in the bushes off Foreshore Road, a busy industrial area near Sydney Airport.
"At this stage the theory would be that the person has stopped and disposed of the body just off the road," Doherty said.
"The victim was only metres away from the side of the road, a very busy thoroughfare.
"The length of time the body has been there is still unknown."
Doherty said it was a "gruesome discovery" and a "very tragic situation".
"A female has lost her life and been dumped on the side of the road," he said.
"There's someone's loved one that doesn't know yet that their loved one has not only been killed, but most likely murdered."
Appeal for public assistance
Doherty said the body remains in situ while forensic investigators comb the scene.
"There may be people out there missing a loved one. It could be someone's' mother, daughter, sister, friend," Doherty said.
"We're seeking assistance from anyone, a friend, a female, who is missing".
He said police were gathering CCTV from buildings in the nearby area and were also appealing for drivers to come forward with dashcam footage.
"The starting point for us is to have the victim identified. That would help us then establish timeframes, timelines, known associates, and who the victim is - what's the story and how she came to be dumped on the side of the road," he said.
Anyone who has seen anything suspicious in the foreshore area in the last days and weeks is being urged to contact police.
-ABC