Body of murdered Wagga woman Allecha Boyd found in Lester State Forest

The man who shot and killed Allecha Boyd near Wagga Wagga has lead police to what is believed to be her remains.

The man who shot and killed Allecha Boyd near Wagga Wagga has lead police to what is believed to be her remains.

Allecha Boyd, 27, was shot three or four times by Samuel John Shephard on a dirt road in Coolamon, in the Riverina region, on August 10, 2017.

Shephard was sentenced to 27 years and seven months in jail earlier this year and it was he who showed police where her body was dumped in a shallow grave more than three years ago.

He used a pistol to shoot Ms Boydon a dirt road in Coolamon after his lover confronted Ms Boyd about a break and enter at her home.

Allecha Suzette Boyd, aged 27, was last seen at a supermarket on Gurwood Street, Wagga Wagga in the early morning on Thursday 10 August 2017. Picture: Facebook

Her body was then taken deep into the Lester State Forest and buried in a shallow grave.

Ms Boyd had initially arrived at Shephard’s home to purchase meth, but just a few hours later she found herself being driven about 5km to the outskirts of town before being callously gunned down.

Shephard’s lover was jealous of Ms Boyd, noticing the pair together, and began following them in her car to a country road.

Police believe they have found the remains of Allecha Boyd, 27, in forest near Wagga Wagga, Picture: NSW Police

The woman then began arguing with Ms Boyd about her home being broken into.

It was then Shephard, who had a pistol tucked behind his back in his waistband, pulled the pistol out and shot Ms Boyd.

There have been numerous searches for her remains since 2017 and strike force investigators made a breakthrough on Tuesday during a co-ordinated search in the Lester State Forest, about 20km south west of Coolamon.

The bones were found around 1pm and will be subject to further forensic testing and DNA analysis.

Rhiannon and Tammara Boyd pleading for information about Allecha. Picture: WIN News

Riverina Police District Commander Bob Noble said police believe they are Ms Boyd’s remains.

“The loss of a loved one is never easy to deal with, but we hope the Boyd family will soon be able to say goodbye to Allecha,” he said.

“It’s been a long journey and one that has been a painstaking process for police over a period of three years.

“We were very close to the location yesterday (Tuesday) where these remains were located, so it’s pleasing we were in the same area. But it is illustrative of the difficulties of looking for remains or any other evidence in an area that is remote or not well marked.

“A great deal of police work led to it but also an element of luck as well.

“The principal accused (Samuel Shephard) in the matter assisted police yesterday. And ultimately it was information he provided us yesterday that led to that location.”

Human remains have been located following a search in a forest near Wagga Wagga yesterday. Picture: NSW Police,

While the remains are yet to be formally identified, they are believed to be that of Allecha Boyd. Picture: NSW Police,

Supt Noble said police were working to identifying the remains as Ms Boyd’s to help put people’s minds at ease.

“Those remains will go off to the forensic service institute and that will take some time … but I don’t know exactly how long,” he said. “It’s a great source of relief for police.

“Not so much satisfaction, certainly no joy but this is one of the reasons people join the police force and when you get a result like this it makes it worthwhile.

“The grave was relatively shallow at a depth of around 300 millimetres. But deep enough so it wouldn’t be easily discovered or disturbed.

“They (the family) are extremely appreciative, firstly of the efforts of police and obviously that we let them know as soon as we had something to tell them about.

“Our investigators have stayed in touch with them constantly since the time Allecha went missing and continued to build a rapport with that family.”

In February, Justice Richard Button said during the sentencing of Shephard at Wagga Supreme Court Ms Boyd’s death had severely impacted her family.

“Damaged almost to the point of destruction,” he said.

“All, I infer, are unable to comprehend how or why this short life was snuffed out.

“As I have said, their pain is made worse by the inability to conduct a funeral with a respectful burial.