A body has been found during the search for a mother who was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by her estranged son.
Police began searching for the body of 58-year-old Sandra Popovic after charging her 33-year-old son, Ante Ivan Popovic, with murder.
The body was found in bushland off Mt Banks Rd in the Blue Mountains National Park about 2.30pm on Sunday, two weeks after Sandra disappeared following a meeting with her son.
While the body is yet to be formally identified, police believe it is Sandra.
Sandra told family she was meeting her son at John Curtin Reserve in Winston Hills, in Sydney’s northwest, on June 8.
A body has been found during the search for Sandra Popovic after Ante Popovic was charged with her alleged murder. Credit: Supplied
She never returned home.
Her car was found on Dodson Cres about 9.30am the following day.
CCTV footage appears to show Ante Popvic’s white Toyota Hilux circling streets in the area shortly after 4pm on Monday, before Sandra arrived about 5.10pm.
NSW Police Superintendent Barry Vincent said the pair had arranged to meet to discuss borrowing money.
He said communications directed towards Sandra before the meeting were “hostile in nature”.
Police allege Sandra’s phone was in her son’s possession when he drove west into regional NSW about 5.14pm, and that she was not with him when he later returned.
“Following the investigation, we were satisfied there was sufficient evidence for us to put the matter before the court,” Vincent said, explaining why police proceeded with a murder charge before Sandra’s body had been located.
“When the family were informed of (Popovic’s arrest) they were obviously shocked.”
Sandra Popovich arrived about 5.10pm on Monday at John Curtin Reserve in Winston Hills. Credit: 7NEWS
Ante Ivan Popovic allegedly drove west into regional NSW about 5.14pm. Credit: 7NEWS
Ante Popovic was arrested on June 11 while sitting in a white Toyota Hilux in bushland along Parnell Fire Trail at Tomerong, about 20km south of Nowra.
He was charged with murder and remains before the court.
Vincent described Sandra as a mother of several children who had been looking after her elderly parents, and said Ante Popovic had been estranged from her.
He added Ante Popovic was well known to officers.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
