Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Qld man arrested over body parts in fridge
Queensland police investigating the suspicious disappearance of a man have made an arrest in NSW after body parts were found in a buried freezer.
April 2, 2019
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after police found body parts while digging up the backyard of a missing Brisbane man.
Police believe they could be remains of David Thornton, 58, who was last seen on February 22 in Goodna, west of Brisbane.
Officers began looking for him after he was reported missing by his family on March 12.
They began digging in his yard over the weekend, and on Monday excavated a freezer, which contained human remains.
Detective Inspector David Briese told reporters on Tuesday forensic testing will now be completed to confirm the identity of the deceased.
“From the circumstance that we know at this point, we believe that it is likely that it is David (Thornton),” he said.
He said a 24-year-old man had been arrested in Byron Bay on suspicion of murder.
Detective Inspector Briese said the men knew each other through family ties, who had been notified of the discovery and arrest.
“They’re very upset.” the detective said.
“But I guess in the back of the mind, given everything that’s happened in the last 72 hours, … their worst realisations appear to have come to fruition,” he said.
Detective Inspector Briese said the man they arrested had been helping them with their investigation before he travelled to Byron for a prearranged appointment.
Queensland police will begin extradition of the NSW man on Wednesday.