Police say a woman found dead inside a unit on the New South Wales Central Coast was murdered before her home went up in flames.
The body of 77-year-old Diane Harkess was found in the lounge room of a unit on Melissa Close at Bateau Bay, following a fire on August 24.
Initial inquiries suggested Ms Harkess died from severe burns.
Tuggerah Lakes Police District Commander Superintendent Chad Gillies said police now believed she was murdered before the fire.
The body of Diane Harkess was found inside her Bateau Bay unit after a fire on August 24. (Supplied: NSW Police)
“The post-mortem and investigations identify it was a violent death where she sustained catastrophic injuries,” he said.
“And that is driving our investigators to identify those persons responsible.” Â
Superintendent Gillies said “the investigation in terms of the murder” was ongoing.
Police are looking for a beige puffer jacket, a light brown hooded jumper and a black hat. (ABC News: Jenae Madden)
Dumped clothes
Police believe someone involved in Ms Harkess’s death dumped clothing worn that night somewhere between Bateau Bay and Chittaway Point.
“We are working on the belief the offender may have discarded clothing either in backyards, front yards, in bushlands or on the street,” Superintendent Gillies said.
“We believe if the offender or offenders did discard this clothing, it may hold crucial forensic evidence and we can then further our investigations.”
The scene of the fatal fire in Bateau Bay, on the NSW Central Coast. (ABC Central Coast: Mary-Louise Vince)
Police are looking for a beige puffer jacket, blue or grey tracksuit pants, a light brown hooded jumper and a black hat.
Superintendent Gilles said anyone who had come across clothing “remotely similar” was urged to contact police.
Anyone with  CCTV footage or information about the fire or Ms Harkess’s death was also asked to contact Wyong police or Crime Stoppers.