Extraordinary cold case breakthrough as bones are linked to high-profile crime - amid revelation Sydney area may be a 'dumping ground for bodies'

Human remains found in sand dunes near a Sydney beach have been identified as those of a butcher who disappeared in suspicious circumstances more than three decades ago.

Paul Norton was last seen on April 9, 1989, after spending the day with his sons at Leichhardt Oval watching the Balmain Tigers play the Parramatta Eels.

The 31-year-old was reported missing by his girlfriend on April 14.

Mr Norton's car - a blue 1981 Commodore sedan - was found weeks later at a Hertz car rental facility at Sydney Airport's domestic terminal on May 2.

A 1996 inquest determined it was most likely Mr Norton's death was a result of homicide, motivated by his involvement in the drug trade.

Human remains found at Kurnell south of Sydney in October of 2007 were formally identified as belonging to Mr Norton in 2019.

The area was long rumoured to be a dumping ground for bodies following underworld killings carried out during the 1970s and 80s.

Investigators used DNA technology including familial samples to identify the remains.

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information about Mr Norton or his death to contact police.

'Initial observations by strike force detectives have drawn links between the suspicious disappearance and likely murder of Mr Norton and a series of underworld killings in Sydney in the 80s,' NSW Police said in a statement on Monday.

Paul Norton's sister, Margaret Brown, hopes the appeal may provide some answers about what happened to her brother.

'Paul and I were one of six children, and with only four of us remaining, we love to find some answers about what happened,' she said.

'Even though it's going back many years, we're asking anyone who might have information to contact police.'

Mr Norton was described as being of Caucasian appearance with a freckled complexion, about 165cm tall, of thin build with brown hair.