A 37-year-old man has become the second man to be charged with the murder of missing woman Allecha Suzette Boyd.
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Samuel John Shepard from Coolamon was taken from Junee to Wagga Police Station early Tuesday morning where he was arrested and charged with Ms Boyd’s murder.
Earlier this month, 19-year-old Wagga man Anthony Shane Hagan was also charged with murder after he was arrested at a home in Gurwood Street.
Wagga Crime Manager Detective Inspector Darren Cloake said the arrest of both men is a significant development.
The investigation will now focus on finding the 27-year-old who was last seen in Coolamon on the afternoon of Thursday, August 10.
“It’s very rare that investigators will charge a person with murder without having located a body, but in this case we are confident that we have obtained sufficient evidence to put a strong case before the court,” Detective Inspector Cloake said.
Ms Boyd’s family members, who mainly reside in Victoria, were told by police of the developments in advance.
“We have been in constant contact with the family of Ms Boyd and hopefully this arrest will go towards them having some of the questions relating to their missing sister and daughter answered,” Detective Inspector Cloake said.
He went further, saying the developments will never replace having their sister and daughter safely home.
“Whilst it’s difficult for anyone to receive closure for an incidence such as this, and closure is a word that I believe is overused in matters of this nature, I do think this development will bring them some comfort.”
Shepard chose not to apply for bail when his matter went before Wagga Local Court on Tuesday afternoon.
His solicitor, Shaun Mortimer, requested a brief of evidence by January 10.
Both Shepard and Hagan have been remanded in custody to appear in Wagga Local Court on January 24.