The officer in charge of the homicide squad investigating her death is convinced there was a cover-up. Police at the scene in January after Sarah Gatt's body was found in a bathtub. Credit:Darrian Traynor ''It’s disturbing and concerning to investigators that it appears someone has deliberately attempted to make it look as though Sarah was still alive,'' Detective Inspector Tim Day said on Tuesday. Ms Gatt’s father, step-mother and two of her sisters have appealed for the public to help. Sarah, pictured here as a teenager, had aspired to be a model when she was younger.

Mr Gatt said he lost contact with his daughter, who had long been battling a drug addiction, about 18 months ago. ‘‘I lost my daughter, in that way. I should have pushed myself to go and see her, but Sarah is the type of person if she doesn’t want to see you, she doesn’t want to see you,’’ Mr Gatt said. Her stepmother Cheryl Gatt said her step-daughter had dreams of becoming a counsellor to help others, but she found it difficult to realise her potential. ‘‘No one deserved to die like that, no one, it doesn’t matter what happened, or what her life was, she doesn’t deserve to die like that,’’ Ms Gatt said. "We really hope that people can come forward, because sometimes it's just that little bit of information there that fits in with the puzzle and all of a sudden you've got the whole puzzle ... even if you think that it's not that important, please come forward. She deserves that."

What happened to Sarah Gatt? Investigators believe she died between April 20 and 24 in 2017. Forensic evidence indicated that a violent assault had taken place inside her flat, which she had been living in for several years. Sarah Gatt's family appeals for information at a police press conference. They also believe that her body was deliberately concealed and that conscious steps were taken to imply she was still alive even months after her death.

Three men and two women were questioned at the time of the discovery but no one has been charged. All five were released and they remain people of interest in the investigation. Sarah as a teenager. “There are people out there who know what happened to Sarah and we are urging them to come forward and speak to police," Detective Inspector Day said. “We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who saw any person coming or going from her Lambeth Street unit after April 20 last year."

Inspector Day also urged anyone who had spoken to people who had acted as if Sarah was still alive after that date, to come forward. It could be second or third-hand information, but essentially it could lead back to those peddling the ruse that she was still alive. “Police would also like to speak to anyone who was provided any information by any person indicating that Sarah was still alive after that date, Inspector Day said. “This could be from a range of people including neighbours, friends, passersby or any local businesses she had contact with.” Someone had been living on and off with Sarah, but would not say who or what their relationship to her was.

Sarah had four children, however, none of them were living with her. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make an anonymous report online.