{"id":762453,"date":"2026-06-26T22:16:21","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T22:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/762453\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T22:16:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T22:16:21","slug":"sandra-popovic-body-believed-to-be-missing-mother-found-in-blue-mountains-after-son-charged-with-murder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/762453\/","title":{"rendered":"Sandra Popovic: Body believed to be missing mother found in Blue Mountains\u00a0after son charged with murder"},"content":{"rendered":"

A body has been found during the search for a mother who was allegedly kidnapped and murdered<\/a> by her estranged son.<\/p>\n

Police<\/a> began searching for the body of 58-year-old Sandra Popovic after charging her 33-year-old son, Ante Ivan Popovic, with murder<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

While the body is yet to be formally identified, police believe it is Sandra.<\/p>\n

Sandra told family she was meeting her son at John Curtin Reserve in Winston Hills, in Sydney\u2019s northwest, on June 8.<\/p>\n

\"AA body has been found during the search for Sandra Popovic after Ante Popovic was charged with her alleged murder. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n

She never returned home.<\/p>\n

Her car was found on Dodson Cres about 9.30am the following day.<\/p>\n

CCTV footage appears to show Ante Popvic\u2019s white Toyota Hilux circling streets in the area shortly after 4pm on Monday, before Sandra arrived about 5.10pm.<\/p>\n

NSW Police Superintendent Barry Vincent said the pair had arranged to meet to discuss borrowing money.<\/p>\n

He said communications directed towards Sandra before the meeting were \u201chostile in nature\u201d.<\/p>\n

Police allege Sandra\u2019s phone was in her son\u2019s possession when he drove west into regional NSW about 5.14pm, and that she was not with him when he later returned.<\/p>\n

\u201cFollowing the investigation, we were satisfied there was sufficient evidence for us to put the matter before the court,\u201d Vincent said, explaining why police proceeded with a murder charge before Sandra\u2019s body had been located.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the family were informed of (Popovic\u2019s arrest) they were obviously shocked.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SandraSandra Popovich arrived about 5.10pm on Monday at John Curtin Reserve in Winston Hills. Credit: 7NEWS\"AnteAnte Ivan Popovic allegedly drove west into regional NSW about 5.14pm. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

He was charged with murder and remains before the court<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

He added Ante Popovic was well known to officers.<\/p>\n

A report will be prepared for the coroner.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.<\/p>\n

In an emergency, call 000.<\/p>\n

Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men\u2019s Referral Service, 1300 766 49<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Search for mother\u2019s body after estranged son charged with murder<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Man charged with murder after woman allegedly kidnapped<\/p>\n

1 min read<\/p>\n

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