Nicole's final hours: Haunting footage shows woman, 32, quietly making her way home - just moments before she vanished and her body was dumped semi-naked and bound at the wrists next to a children's playground

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Haunting footage showing the final hours of a woman whose bound and semi-naked body was found dumped near a children's playground has been revealed.

Nicole Cartwright, 32, was found dead by a council worker at Buffalo Creek Reserve in Hunters Hill on Sydney's lower north shore about 7.30am on October 3.

Her hands were bound and she was found with a dog collar around her neck, with drag marks up to 30metres long nearby.

CCTV footage shows Ms Cartwright using public transport just four days before her body was found - the last time she was ever seen alive.

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

Nicole Cartwright, 32, was found dead by a council worker at Buffalo Creek Reserve in Hunters Hill on Sydney's lower north shore about 7.30am on October 3

Ms Cartwright was seen at Museum train station at 9.14pm on September 30, just days before her death

Forensic police photograph Ms Cartwright's body which was discovered by a council worker

Homicide squad commander Scott Cook said police are unaware of Ms Cartwright's whereabouts from September 30 until her body was found on October 3. 

'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,' he 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.  

'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 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.'

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 semi-naked

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

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

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

She did not own a car but often travelled on public transport around Sydney. 

He said her parents Terry and Brenda were 'very, very sad', and her family was 'devastated'. 

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. 

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

Ms Cartwright did not own a car but often travelled on public transport around Sydney

Detectives are investigating Ms Cartwright's murder after her body was found semi-naked with a studded dog collar around her neck and her hands bound together

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

'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.

'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.

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

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

'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. 

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