'Her makeup and statuses got darker': Murdered woman, 32, 'tied up' and dumped at a playground had started exploring fetish websites – as police investigate if she met her killer online

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A woman whose tied-up body was found dumped in a park three days after she was last seen had joined several fetish websites prior to her death.

The body of Nicole Cartwright, 32, was discovered near a playground at Hunter's Hill, a suburb on Sydney's lower north shore, about 7.30am on Wednesday, October 3.

A close friend of Ms Cartwright told Daily Mail Australia how the dead woman's social media posts had become 'increasingly dark' as she explored the sexual sites in the months leading up to her death.

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Nicole Cartwright (pictured), whose tied-up body was found dumped in a Sydney park last week, had joined several fetish websites in the motnhs prior to her death

'She was posting a lot of pictures of herself in corsets and skimpy dresses,' the friend said. 

'Her makeup got darker, her statuses got darker... we were talking and I think she was going through a really tough time.

The friend said she reached out to check she was 'OK' when Ms Cartwright suddenly deleted all her social media and online accounts.

'We used to chat on Snapchat or Skype and all of a sudden everything was gone,' the friend said. 

'She did begin to reach out sexually, as a lot of people do when they are struggling.

'We fear she's got involved with the wrong person.'

It is understood the websites used by Ms Cartwright included Fetlife - a network for 'BDSM, fetish and kinky' - and Vanilla Umbrella - a dating app for 'open minded singles'.

Ms Cartwright (pictured with a friend) had signed up to Fetlife - a network for 'BDSM, fetish and kinky' - and Vanilla Umbrella - a dating app for 'open minded singles' - in recent months

Ms Cartwright was last seen at a Sydney CBD train station on September 30 (pictured). Three days later on October 3 her body was found near the Buffalo Creek Reserve kids playground

Police sources confirmed to Daily Mail Australia they are probing Ms Cartwright's use of such websites in their hunt for her killer.

It comes after homicide detectives released the last known footage of Ms Cartwright alive, walking through barriers at a CBD train station about 9.15pm on September 30.

In the days prior to her body being discovered she had visited Maroubra beach in the eastern suburbs and sent selfies from the seaside to her family.

She caught trains and buses across the city in the following days, appearing to be in good spirits in footage captured on CCTV.

A council worker made the grim discovery of Ms Cartwright's body last Wednesday.

The Hunter's Hill park is popular with local families in the area and contains a newly renovated playground

NSW Police have released this still from CCTV footage of Ms Cartwright at a train station on September 30

Her hands were bound together, she was suffering severe head injuries and was wrapped in an orange blanket, while nearby there were drag marks 30 metres long.

But despite having not returned to her parents' Lansvale home where she lived for a number of days, Ms Cartwright's father Terry told The Australian he and his wife did not think anything was 'off' until they saw a news report.

'She wasn't really missing — she lived here but it wasn't unusual for her to leave for a week or so,' Mr Cartwright said.

'We heard the description report (on the news) and thought something was off.' 

Ms Cartwright's parents reported her missing after seeing news reports and just 24 hours later were told the devastating news by police.

Ms Cartwright did not have a car and caught public transport regularly in the days leading up to her body being discovered

CCTV footage shows Ms Cartwright using public transport just days before she disappeared

NSW Homicide squad commander Scott Cook made a public plea for information on Wednesday.

He also revealed that police were yet to locate Ms Cartwright's mobile phone, adding many aspects of her murder 'were unusual' 

'Investigators have been able to place Nicole on buses and at various railway stations between 27 and 30 September, but we are seeking information from then until she was found,' Commander Cook said.

'We know that Nicole travelled by train from Bondi Junction to St Marys early on 29 September, and the following afternoon/evening, we have her at Strathfield, Central, Ashfield and then Museum Railway Stations.

'The last image we have located so far was captured as Nicole exited Museum Railway Station just before 9.15pm on the Sunday.

'We've been liaising with her family, who last had contact with Nicole on 28 September, when she sent a photo taken at Maroubra. 

He said police did not yet know the exact cause of her death, but confirmed her injuries were consistent with assault, stating 'she was bound with her hands tied in front of her body.' 

'Of particular interest to us is any sightings or contact with Nicole after that time, and we are appealing for those people to contact us as soon as possible.'

Ms Cartwright's body was found at a playground (pictured) on September 30. Her hands were tied together, her body had been wrapped in a blanket and she had severe injuries to her head

She lived with her parents in Lansvale, in the city's south-west and had a wide circle of friends, according to police

Ms Cartwright's devastated brother Ben shared an emotional message after Ms Cartwright's death was confirmed.

'Rest in peace my little sister. I love you with my all,' he said. 

'It is with very sad and heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved daughter, sister and friend Nicole Cartwright has sadly passed away,' he posted to Facebook. 

'Thank you for all the love and support we have received from family and friends over the last few days.'

His wife Jackie also made an emotional post vowing her sister-in-law would not be forgotten.

'RIP to my beautiful sister in law. We miss you so much and you'll never be forgotten,' she wrote alongside a series of photos on Instagram. 

Ms Cartwright's sister-in-law Jackie made an emotional post (pictured) vowing her sister-in-law would not be forgotten

Her devastated brother Ben shared an emotional message after his sister's death was confirmed

The body had been partially concealed under a dark-coloured cloth, but beneath the covering Ms Cartwright (pictured) was suffering severe injuries to her head

Police confirmed Ms Cartwright did not own a car leading her to rely on public transport around Sydney. 

Detective Superintendent Cook said police were unsure when her body was dumped at the park.

'At the time she was located she was wearing a dark jacket with a hood and a black and white dress with long black pants underneath. She also had a pair of black boots on and a purple collar,' he said.

They are also hoping to speak to anyone who drove past Buffalo Creek Reserve with a dashcam in order to find out when Ms Cartwright's body was dumped at the park. 

'We've been liaising with her family, who last had contact with Nicole on 28 September, when she sent a photo taken at Maroubra,' Det Supt Cook said.

'The last image we have located so far was captured as Nicole exited Museum Railway Station just before 9.15pm on the Sunday.

'She wasn't really missing — she lived here but it wasn't unusual for her to leave for a week or so,' Ms Cartwright's father Terry told The Australian

Investigators believe Nicole's body was dumped either late on the Tuesday night or very early hours of Wednesday morning

'Of particular interest to us is any sightings or contact with Nicole after that time, and we are appealing for those people to contact us as soon as possible.'

Investigators believe Nicole's body was dumped at Buffalo Creek Reserve either late on the Tuesday night or very early hours of Wednesday morning.

'While it is most likely her body was brought to the area under darkness, we are still urging motorists with dashcam and travelling in that area at that time to provide us copies of their footage,' Det Supt Cook said.

The body had been partially concealed under a dark-coloured cloth, but beneath the covering Ms Cartwright was semi-naked.

She also had massive injuries to her head, and her body was hidden with leaves.

Shocked neighbours told Daily Mail Australia the incident was out of character for the quiet area, in the exclusive Sydney suburb.

Detectives from the homicide squad are investigating Ms Cartwright's death

'It's devastating because it's such a quiet little area,' the local said.

'Every weekend that park is packed full of kids playing and families having barbecues, it's a lovely spot normally.

'A council worker comes and opens the gates at sunrise and closes them at sunset, and I believe he found the body.'

The park is popular with local families in the area and it features a newly-renovated playground. 

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.