Deliberate effort made by killers to make it seem as if Kensington woman was still alive

Homicide Squad detectives believe a woman whose body was found in a Kensington home had been dead for several months and a deliberate effort had been made to make it seem as if she was still alive.

Police believe 40-year-old mother of four Sarah Gatt died following a violent altercation sometime between April 20th and 24th 2017.

Ms Gatt’s body wasn’t found until January 3rd this year, when police attended the unit on Lambeth Street on an unrelated matter.

The officers detected a smell and entered the house, locating a decomposed body in a bathtub.

It was so badly decomposed forensic testing was required to determine it to be the body of Ms Gatt.

Today police revealed they believe Ms Gatt’s body was deliberately concealed at the address and conscious steps were taken to imply she was still alive after her death.

Three men and two women were all questioned at the time however no one has been charged and all five were released.

Detective Inspector Tim Day said it was particularly disturbing that attempts had been made to make it seem like Ms Gatt was still alive.

“There are people out there who know what happened to Sarah and we are urging them to come forward and speak to police,” he said.

Sarah had four children, however none of them were living with her at the property.

Her father Victor Gatt said he lost contact with his daughter 18 months ago.

“She didn’t want to see me anymore,” he said today.

“I put her in different places to try and get her cleaned up but it didn’t happen.”

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Photos: Upper left – Nine News, others – undated photos of Sarah Gatt supplied by Victoria Police