A NSW mother reported missing by her parents when they arrived home from holiday has been found buried in their backyard.
The father and stepmother of 33-year-old Colleen Deborah Ayers, known as Debbie Ayers, returned home on May 25, three weeks after neighbours reported their house had been broken into, to find their daughter was unable to be contacted.
Police later found a body buried in a makeshift grave in the backyard of the 25 acre property, in Lakesland southwest of Sydney, after arresting a 22-year-old woman who was allegedly involved in the break-in on Thursday.
Detective Inspector Russell Oxford, from the NSW Police Homicide Squad, told reporters today the body had not yet been formally identified, but it was believed to be Ms Ayers.
“The tragedy of all this is (the parents) have come home not realising their daughter has been buried in the backyard for three weeks,” he said.
Police will now await the results of an autopsy but Det. Insp. Russell Oxford said it appeared the woman had suffered “a violent death”.
It is believed Ms Ayers, the mother of two teenage children who did not live with her, died after visiting the property with five other people on May 9 or 10.
“Six people, including Debbie, went to this house and five people left,” Det. Insp. Oxford said.
“The six were together in a group and have gone to the house and things have occurred throughout the night and the following morning five have left.”
Det. Insp. Oxford said the group was earlier seen buying alcohol from a hotel in the Picton area.
He confirmed police have arrested five people over the burglary and death and three have been charged.
Four people including three men aged 31, 38 and 21 and 16-year-old girl were arrested yesterday.
The 31-year-old was charged with murdering the woman and burglary.
The 21-year-old man was charged with burglary.
The 38-year-old man was released without charge and the girl is still being questioned by detectives.
The 22-year-old woman arrested on Thursday in connection with the burglary faced Campbelltown Local Court yesterday.
The three people charged will appear in court again on July 23.
Author: Fiona Willan, Approving editor: Emily O’Keefe
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