Police have renewed the search for remains of Patricia Riggs

Police have failed to turn up the remains of Patricia Riggs, who was killed by her husband Edmund Ian Riggs nearly 18 years ago, but have taken soil for further testing.

POLICE have failed to turn up the remains of Patricia Riggs after digging up a reserve in Burpengary for the last two days, after her killer husband Edmund Riggs provided information about her supposed remains.

Det Snr Sgt Chris Knight said while no human remains were found police had taken soil for further forensic testing.

“The soil will be tested to see if it can be linked to anything at the initial crime scene which was the Riggs’ Margate home.”

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“We have not recovered human remains but It remains to be seen if we’ve recovered other relevant information that might link us back to an initial crime scene,” he said.

Police are seen scouring dug up earth near Morayfield road in Burpengary, north of Brisbane. Picture: AAP Image/Glenn Hunt

Det Snr Sgt Chris Knight said police had been hoping to recover the victim’s remains and it was “absolutely” disappointing they weren’t found.

“Queensland police want nothing more than to return victims to the surviving family,” he said.

“The families that are affected by this, that pain doesn’t go away, regardless of the passage of time.

“It’s an incredible incentive and motivation of ours to do what we can to help those people, they deserve it.”

Over two days police excavated more than 300 square metres of soil and used forensic officers and cadaver dogs which can also detect human bone.

In 2001 when Riggs claims to have buried his wife at the site it would have been heavily forested. It was cleared around 2003 and used as a council depot.

According to Riggs he dug up part of Patricia’s remains two to three years after initially putting them there and reburied them in the back yard of his Margate home.

Under the No Body No Parole laws police will evaluate “the quality of the information” Riggs provided about the possible whereabouts of his wife’s remains.

“If we need to come back we will but for the time being we have done what we can possibly do,” Snr Sgt Knight said.

Land set aside for a cemetery in outer Brisbane is being combed by police a week after Edmund Riggs finally told them where to look for the last of his wife's remains. Picture: AAP Image/Glenn Hunt

Homicide Unit Detective Inspector Damien Hansen told The Courier-Mail earlier today that the dig at Morayfield Rd, Burpengary, is likely to finish up later today.

“I won’t go into what’s been uncovered, because as you would have to understand, anything we do take by why of exhibits will need to be forensically examined and I don’t want to put false hopes into the family’s minds at this stage,” he said.

“But what I will say is that the legislation for No Body, No Parole has had a big impact.”

“I’m hoping today it will be finalised.”

POLICE RENEW SEARCH FOR PATRICIA RIGGS’ REMAINS

OVERNIGHT: After a day-long search, police have finished excavating the site where it is believed Patricia Riggs remains could be.

The site at Morayfield Road, Burpengary will be under police guard overnight until the search resumes in the morning.

The woman was killed by her husband Edmund Ian Riggs in 2001 at Margate

Riggs was found guilty in February this year of her manslaughter.

He told the court that he buried her body in bush near Morayfield but later moved some of her remains to his own backyard.

These were found by the new owner after Riggs had sold the home.

Patricia Ann Riggs, who was killed by her husband Edmund Ian Riggs.

On the day of the verdict he provided information to authorities about where the balance of her remains may be buried.

A member of Patricia’s family confirmed police were currently digging up a reserve in Burpengary in a bid to find the remains.

Riggs found not guilty of murder and will be sentenced for manslaughter on March 18.