A man will face court today, charged with murder following the suspicious disappearance of a man in the state’s Central West.
On Friday 15 October 2023, David Collisson was reported missing to Cumberland Police Area Command, after he was last seen at a property on Wilbertree Road in Menah – about 9km north-west of Mudgee.
Local police commenced inquiries to locate the 53-year-old before the matter was referred to Orana Mid-Western Police Area Command and State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad under Strike Force Utyana.
Strike force detectives – with assistance from the Dog Squad and Police divers – commenced a search of the property where Mr Collisson was last seen on Wednesday 25 October 2023.
During an extensive search of the property, on Thursday 26 October 2023, a number of bones – believed to be human – were located in a burnt-out tree trunk.
They were sent for further forensic examination.
Following additional inquiries, about 10.15am yesterday (Saturday 4 November 2023), detectives arrested a 33-year-old man at Maroubra Police Station, where he was charged with 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.
The man was remanded in custody to appear in Parramatta Local Court today (Sunday 5 November 2023).
Police will allege in court the man fatally shot Mr Collisson at the property over a dispute.
Investigations under Strike Force Utyana are continuing.
