AS the hunt for Danielle Easey's killer intensifies, her grief-stricken family has spoken of being "broken" by the brutal murder.
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The young Lake Macquarie mother's body was dumped and left - possibly for weeks - before it was discovered wrapped in plastic by a passing motorist near Killingworth about 10.30am on Saturday.
The discovery of Ms Easey's body, in such gruesome circumstances, has seen grief and disbelief spread among her friends and family.
Ms Easey's sister, Tahnee Easey, said she had no idea how to process "something like this".
"I love my sister," she wrote on Facebook.
"My heart is aching for her and for her beautiful children.
"You may not be with us anymore but i'll carry you with me and cherish our amazing times and even our down times.
"I love you so much Danielle, you're and always will be my best mate."
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Brendan Easey, her brother, also spoke of his loss.
"My heart is terribly, terribly broken," he said.
"Right now I'm not OK. I'll hold up. Spend your thoughts on a memory of Dell, my little sister."
Ms Easey was known as "Quaker" after she made her dramatic entry into the world in December 1989.
She was famously born on a mattress on the lawn outside Western Suburbs Maternity Hospital on the day of the Newcastle earthquake.
Stacie Mittman described her friend of more than 10 years as extremely generous.
"Dani was the life of the party, always the one making you laugh and doing silly things to put a smile on your face," Ms Mittman said.
"She would honestly give a friend anything they needed."
Friend Sharna Hatton said it was impossible to believe she would never hear Ms Easey's infectious laugh again.
"We love you and you will be missed dearly," she said. "Fly high with the angels and be at peace now and forever."
Police said Ms Easey had lived at Booragul with family but she had most recently been 'couch-surfing' at multiple locations.
The State Crime Command's Homicide Squad and Lake Macquarie Police District have established Strike Force Furzer to investigate the murder.
The Homicide Squad's Detective Chief Inspector Grant Taylor said Ms Easey had been staying at different locations.
"We are keen to establish where those locations were and speak to who she stayed with during that time," Inspector Taylor said.
"Of particular interest to us is any sightings or contact with Danielle since early to mid-August, and we are appealing for those people to contact us as soon as possible."
- Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.
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