Police investigating 16yo Sydney girl's death as possible sexual choking act

NSW Police investigating 16-year-old Sydney girl's death as suspected sexual choking actPosted Thu 27 Aug 2026 at 6:58amThu 27 Aug 2026 at 6:58am, updated Thu 27 Aug 2026 at 7:06amThu 27 Aug 2026 at 7:06amThe girl was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition. (ABC News: Heath McPherson)Police are continuing to investigate the death of a 16-year-old Sydney girl, which the ABC understands is being treated as a suspected sexual choking act.Warning: This story contains details that may be distressing for some readers.Emergency services were called to a home in Elanora Heights on Sydney's northern beaches just before 5:45pm on Sunday after NSW Police received a concern for welfare report.Police said in a press release yesterday paramedics arrived to find the teenager unresponsive.She was treated at the scene before being airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital in critical condition.Police said she died two days later, on Tuesday night.Authorities, including police and the ambulance service, have not disclosed how she died, details of her injuries or likely cause of death.But two sources with knowledge of the matter have confirmed to the ABC the 16-year-old is believed to have lost consciousness as a result of asphyxiation after allegedly being choked during sexual intercourse.One source told the ABC that officers investigating the case had been told the sex was "consensual".There have been no arrests or charges in the wake of the girl's death.The Northern Beaches Police Area Command is investigating the incident.Independent federal MP Zali Steggall released a statement following yesterday's national cabinet meeting, describing the teenager's death as "devastating".Ms Steggall, who holds the neighbouring northern Sydney electorate of Warringah, said her thoughts were with the girl's family, friends and community."It's just so horrific, and I can't begin to imagine the trauma for her family and what they're going through," she told the ABC.