A second man has been charged in relation to the murder of another man in the Hunter earlier this year.
John Simpson, aged 42, was reported missing to police in April 2023 after he was last seen on Great North Road in Laguna – about 40km southwest of Cessnock.
As part of inquiries, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District – with assistance from specialist police – conducted a search of a nearby property where they located the 42-year-old man’s body.
Local police commenced inquiries before State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Blakely.
Initial inquiries suggest John Simpson suffered a fatal gunshot wound.
A 34-year-old man was charged earlier in the year over his alleged role; he remains before the courts.
Following further investigation, strike force detectives arrested a 49-year-old man at Cessnock Police Station yesterday (Tuesday 14 November 2023).
He was charged with accessory after the fact of murder and refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court today (Wednesday 15 November 2023).
Investigations under Strike Force Blakely are ongoing.
