Deceased/Not Found AUSTRALIA - Ms Lesley Trotter, 78, Homicide, Brisbane, 28 Mar 2023

[LacieL]

And in my opinion the main reason most likely wasn't because things were in the wrong bins, it was because she needed that bit of extra money. And perhaps she had her pride, so wouldn't say it was because she needed it.

I don’t think she would have been short on money.

She was a teacher which while isn’t a super high paid position, in Australia teachers are not paid poorly. She had owned her apartment for 40 odd years and would have paid it off pretty quickly imo if it had a mortgage on it at all. It appears she lead a simple life in terms of spending.

She would also have superannuation and possibly a teacher’s pension. She didn’t have children so her teachers wage would have been more than enough to support herself. I actually think it’s more likely that she had saved a small fortune over her life rather than being desperate for money.

She doesn’t seem like the type to have a gambling problem (though they say you can’t always tell).

She may have been collecting cans for money but I don’t think she was short on money.

That’s my gut read of what we know of her circumstances. She reminds me of a few frugal retirees I know who are privately very comfortable but wear second hand clothing, collect cans etc.

 

[LacieL]

Another thought is that she might have been collecting cans for a community group. Bush care, community garden, school program? I’ve read she was a hiker but have there been any mention of her involvement in any specific community groups?

 

[Plover99]

I don’t think she would have been short on money.

She was a teacher which while isn’t a super high paid position, in Australia teachers are not paid poorly. She had owned her apartment for 40 odd years and would have paid it off pretty quickly imo if it had a mortgage on it at all. It appears she lead a simple life in terms of spending.

She would also have superannuation and possibly a teacher’s pension. She didn’t have children so her teachers wage would have been more than enough to support herself. I actually think it’s more likely that she had saved a small fortune over her life rather than being desperate for money.

She doesn’t seem like the type to have a gambling problem (though they say you can’t always tell).

She may have been collecting cans for money but I don’t think she was short on money.

That’s my gut read of what we know of her circumstances. She reminds me of a few frugal retirees I know who are privately very comfortable but wear second hand clothing, collect cans etc.

I would probably agree. It appears that it was a choice to live simply and frugally.

 

[Plover99]

Another thought is that she might have been collecting cans for a community group. Bush care, community garden, school program? I’ve read she was a hiker but have there been any mention of her involvement in any specific community groups?

I remember reading in one of the Facebook groups that Lesley helped a lot in the community - it was one of the local councillors who said it.

 

[HinterlandObserver]

Oh a reason for checking the recycle bin more often may be because she really needed the refund money as a bit extra.

I just thought that checking daily would ensure that she got all the recycling stuff, rather than having to search right down to the bottom every couple of weeks.

Now I'm thinking it wasn't strange behaviour at all. Or OCD.
And in my opinion the main reason most likely wasn't because things were in the wrong bins, it was because she needed that bit of extra money. And perhaps she had her pride, so wouldn't say it was because she needed it.

it’s likely LT felt the same way you do, but others may hold a different opinion. Even if she was not OCD or being intentionally invasive some people may certainly have felt that she was, IMOO.

 

[bettyboop]

MA - Barbara Hovey Novaes, 61, found dead in recycling container, Medford, May 23, 2022

Authorities in Medford, Massachusetts, are investigating the death of a Medford woman after her body was found in an enclosed area behind her home. The victim's son, who is in his 20s, called Medford police at about 6:40 a.m. to report that he could not find his mother after waking up. The...

www.websleuths.com

Does this work?

@HinterlandObserver , Thank You !!!
edit to add that I think Lesley having OCD is a distinct possibility
having it myself. JMO MOO

 

[HinterlandObserver]

@HinterlandObserver , Thank You !!!
edit to add that I think Lesley having OCD is a distinct possibility
having it myself. JMO MOO

You’re welcome. I hadn’t heard of this case so thank you for sharing. It’s amazing how close in time they both are!

 

[LacieL]

She reminds me of a few frugal retirees I know who are privately very comfortable but wear second hand clothing, collect cans etc.

Though a lot of the comments on the St Aidens past student facebook page regarding Leslie are students recalling how beautifully dressed she was as a teacher.

There is so much focus on her rubbish bin activities, understandably given the circumstances of her death, but that seems to be only a small aspect of who she was.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

We actually don't have any idea at all whether she chose to live frugally, or if she needed to.

Just because someone had a good income (in our opinion) and whatever other assets doesn't automatically mean that they will always have that amount.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Lesley may have been an Op shopper.
One of the best dressed people I know buys most of her clothes at Op shops.

 

[LacieL]

Just because someone had a good income (in our opinion) and whatever other assets doesn't automatically mean that they will always have that amount.

This is true. Which makes me recall something about her family saying she was intimidated about being online (sorry I can’t have the source but it was posted in this topic).

She is the demographic that scammers heavily target.

This is my wild speculation. As far as I know there has been nothing other than being in the target demographic that would suggest she was a victim of any scams.

 

[bettyboop]

@TootsieFootsie , what does Op shopper mean? I'm not familiar with that term?

 

[iamshadow21]

@TootsieFootsie , what does Op shopper mean? I'm not familiar with that term?

Charity shop. Op shop is short for 'opportunity shop', which is what they used to be called. But you know Aussies. If it's a long word, we'll shorten it, if it's short, we'll add at least one or two syllables to the end.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Haha I'm naughty because I knew some of our members outside of Australia might not know

Op shopping is buying from charity shops which were called Opportunity Shops. Op shops became the generic term.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I haven't been to an Op shop for awhile but one of our main ones is moving to around the corner from me next week so I might have a look sometime.

 

[MrsWattle]

@TootsieFootsie , what does Op shopper mean? I'm not familiar with that term?

Thrift stores, second hand goods. A very popular way of buying clothes in Australia. Recycle re-use, and monies go to charity

 

[FromGermany1]

Though a lot of the comments on the St Aidens past student facebook page regarding Leslie are students recalling how beautifully dressed she was as a teacher.

There is so much focus on her rubbish bin activities, understandably given the circumstances of her death, but that seems to be only a small aspect of who she was.

I noticed, that it seems, she was wearing earrings all the time.

 

[Plover99]

I noticed, that it seems, she was wearing earrings all the time.

Great observation

 

[FromGermany1]

I don’t think she would have been short on money.

She was a teacher which while isn’t a super high paid position, in Australia teachers are not paid poorly. She had owned her apartment for 40 odd years and would have paid it off pretty quickly imo if it had a mortgage on it at all. It appears she lead a simple life in terms of spending.

She would also have superannuation and possibly a teacher’s pension. She didn’t have children so her teachers wage would have been more than enough to support herself. I actually think it’s more likely that she had saved a small fortune over her life rather than being desperate for money.

She doesn’t seem like the type to have a gambling problem (though they say you can’t always tell).

She may have been collecting cans for money but I don’t think she was short on money.

That’s my gut read of what we know of her circumstances. She reminds me of a few frugal retirees I know who are privately very comfortable but wear second hand clothing, collect cans etc.

bbm
I also think so. Maybe, someone was after her money, before she could have spent it on her Senior residence?

 

[FromGermany1]

Maybe there was a draw to the bin area for some reason that does not necessarily involve recycling, but includes it? speculation, imo.

Her bins were standing in bulk with other people's bins. Idk, what one is able to use the bins/bin area for. My friend ie. can use her bins for DHL (UPS) as a storage location for deliveries, because her own bins are standing in her own carport. My bin is standing in a publicly accessible place, so I can't use it for any thing, except putting my trash into it.