Nyngan: Joel Carter found dead with gunshot wound following welfare check

Family and friends have paid tribute to a Western NSW farmer found dead at a property, after emergency services were called to his home following requests for a welfare check.

Joel Carter, 59, was found dead in his home in Gilgai Road, Miandetta.

A 59-year-old farmer has been found dead at a rural property in the state’s west, as family and friends pay tribute to a “true blue Aussie gentleman”.

Emergency services were called to Joel Carter’s property in Gilgai Road, Miandetta, about 25km from Nyngan, at 7.45am on January 25 following requests for a welfare check.

Police sources have told The Dubbo News the man was found with “head trauma” and was found “several days” after his death.

The man was found dead at a property 25km outside of Nyngan.

A crime scene was established, which has been forensically examined, with police sources suggesting investigating officers were treating the death as suspicious.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said “homicide Squad detectives are continuing investigations into the suspicious death of a man on a property near Nyngan last month”, in a statement on Tuesday.

“A crime scene was established and has since been examined by specialist forensic officers,” the statement reads. “A post-mortem examination determined Mr Carter died from significant head trauma.

“Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, assisted by the Central North Police District, have established Strike Force Namadgi to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.”

Police are currently appealing for members of the community “who have information which may assist with their ongoing inquiries to come forward”.

Mr Carter’s family took to social media following his death, with ‘heartbroken’ messages from the wider community.

“So sorry to hear of the sad loss of Joel, a true blue Aussie gentleman,” one message said.

Another local said they were “shocked to hear this horrible news”.

Mr Carter was described by another friend as a “good old matey, great worker, truck driver and all round funny old fulla (sic)”.