Australian police investigated a suitcase found containing what appeared to be a body, before concluding within hours that the "victim" was in fact a doll.
Two men discovered the suitcase at the side of a road near the small village of Oallen, about 230 kilometers southwest of Sydney.
Murder inquiry opened, then dropped
On Monday, police announced the start of a murder investigation, drawing intense interest in the case. A few hours later they reversed course, saying forensic examination had shown the contents of the suitcase were not human.
Doll had clothing and a nose piercing
Police said the doll was dressed, had hair and a nose piercing. They added that the object also carried marks resembling bruises and abrasions.
Inspector defends police response
Inspector Bradbury said forensic teams and detectives had gone to the scene on Sunday and that all procedures had been followed. She described the find as a fairly shocking discovery.
Bradbury said she had no regrets about the way police handled the case.
