Woonona killing: victim farewelled
Illawarra Mercury
Thursday March 31, 2011
A WOONONA mother whose body was found stuffed in a wheelie bin inside her home last week was farewelled at a funeral service in Unanderra yesterday.The family of Valmai Birch, 34, gathered in a chapel at the Wollongong crematorium at midday to honour a much-loved woman whose life was cut tragically short.Ms Birch's body was discovered at 10pm last Monday after police forced entry through a window of her Woods Ave unit.The officers located a wheelie bin containing Ms Birch's body in the unit's bathroom.Homicide detectives and forensic officers spent two days at the address trying to piece together the circumstances surrounding the 34-year-old's death. A man has been assisting police with their inquiries but no charges have been laid.The morning after Ms Birch's body was discovered, Wollongong crime manager Inspector Joe Mura said her body may have been in the bin for "a number of weeks".Neighbours remembered Ms Birch as a pleasant woman but said they believed she had had problems.Ms Birch is survived by her two young sons.Investigations are continuing and anyone with information is urged to contact Wollongong Police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
© 2011 Illawarra Mercury
