A man has been arrested and charged with the murder of missing man David Collison, 53, after police found human remains in a burnt-out tree trunk in regional NSW.
Eric James Forrest, 33, was charged by police on Saturday following an extensive search of a property on Wilbertree Road in Menah, where Mr Collisson was last seen on October 25.
On October 26, police found a number of bones, believed to be human. The remains are still undergoing forensic examination, and have yet to be formally identified.
NSW Police will allege Mr Forrest fatally shot Mr Collison at the Menah property over a dispute.
The 33-year-old was arrested at Maroubra Police Station and charged with a string of offences, including murder, acquire firearm subject to prohibition order, acquire ammunition subject to prohibition order, possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority, and possess ammunition without holding licence/permit authority.
Mr Forrest is set to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.
Mr Collison was reported missing on October 15 after he was unable to be located or contacted.
Authorities had described him as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, about 180cm – 185cm tall, of solid build, with a shaved head, grey beard and green eyes.
His disappearance was referred to Orana Mid-Western Police Area Command and State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad under Strike Force Utyana.
Investigations under Strike Force Utyana are continuing.