Mystery surrounds the discovery of body at Maroubra beach
Mystery surrounds the death of a university student found washed ashore on a Sydney beach, as police continue to search for her missing friend, who is feared drowned.
Shristi Bhandari, 23, had only arrived in Australia from Nepal two weeks before she was found dead on Maroubra Beach by a jogger at 6am on Tuesday.
Police are still scouring the coastline in a desperate attempt to find her friend, Sudeep Uprety, 26, also from Nepal, who went to the beach with Shristi on Monday night.
It was reported by 7 News the pair may have been swept off rocks by a large wave as Shristi was found fully clothed.
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Shristi Bhandari, 23, of Kathmandu, was found washed ashore on Sydney's Maroubra Beach
Shristi had been studying a masters in accounting at the University of New South Wales
Police are still searching waters off Maroubra Beach for Shristi's friend Sudeep Uprety
Police said they are still investigating the death, which is not being treated as suspicious, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
'There's a pool down there which people swim in a lot, it's very popular,' Maroubra police Inspector Steven Egbers said.
'However, when the seas are rough and its high tide, it can be very dangerous.'
Shristi had only arrived in Australia two weeks ago to study a masters in accounting at the University of New South Wales, 7 News reported.
Friends took to Facebook to pay tribute to the 'beautiful soul'.
'You pure magical beautiful soul! I can't believe this could happen.. a part of me is still waiting for it to be a mistake,' one person posted.
A Facebook tribute to Shristi Bhandari, who was found dead on Maroubra Beach
A friend posted a poem in tribute to Shristi Bhandari
Another posted a poem which began with: 'You were a poised little dreamer, you knew where to find yourself, you had found a piece of heaven here'.
They added: 'Rest in heaven little girl'.
'May God give all the strength your loved ones need at this very difficult time. Much love.'
Sudeep, from Nepal's Jhapa district, had reportedly been in Australia for three years.
Lifeguards frantically search the waters off Maroubra Beach after a woman was found dead and a man went missing in rough surf conditions
The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter was brought in to assist rescue efforts
Lifegueards searching rough waters off Maroubra Beach on Tuesday
Police suspended their search for Sudeep at 4pm on Tuesday due to rough sea conditions, after spending hours scouring the coastline with no sign of the man.
The search resumed at 8am on Wednesday.
Water police, PolAir, police divers and the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter are all on scene.