Searches underway after body of Johnny Birch discovered on Glenorie property
Johnny Birch had served time in prison related to drug offences and was known within criminal circles as “fingers”. His body was found partially buried and wrapped in a tarp on a rural property in Sydney’s northwest.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A man found dead on a rural property in Sydney’s northwest has been identified, after his concerned family raised the alarm around his whereabouts with police earlier this week.
Johnny Birch’s body was discovered by police, partially buried and wrapped in a tarp, in a paddock on Gleness Place, Glenorie around midday on Friday.
His family made a missing persons report to police on Thursday, directing police to the property.
Mr Birch’s body was discovered in a shallow grave at the back of the property, with a woman and two men arrested at the property and taken into custody.
By Saturday morning, however, they had been released from Castle Hill Police Station.
Strike Force Halderen has been formed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the 39-year-old’s death, and who buried him in the paddock.
Detectives attached to The Hills Police Area Command and the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad are awaiting the outcome of a post-mortem examination to determine how he died, which is expected to be conducted in coming days.
Forensic specialists remained at the scene on Saturday, as well as the dog squad, as they searched for evidence related to Mr Birch’s death.
Officers from the riot squad closed Gleness Place, conducting line searches at properties along the rural stretch of road.
The Telegraph understands Birch has served time in prison related to drug offences – and is known within criminal circles as “fingers”.
Mr Birch has one young child, with a friend describing him as a “family man” who had “made a couple of mistakes”.
A resident on Gleness Place said it was a “very strange situation” on his “usually quiet” stretch of road.
“I know the people who lived in the property were renters, there’s never really been any trouble with them,” he said.
“I’ve seen police once or twice but nothing major. It’s all just very strange situation.”
Detective Superintendent Naomi Moore said police discovered the body when they went to the address in Glenorie as part of the missing person investigation.
“We had information from the family,” Detective-Supt Moore said when asked what led officers to that house.
Charges upgraded for fatal assault accused
Charges brought against a man have been escalated to manslaughter after a 49-year-old man died after an alleged assault in the state’s north earlier this month. Here’s the latest.
Man accused of shocking acts towards girlfriend during violent fight: court
A man accused of carrying out a series of violent acts against his girlfriend during a fight inside their Wollongong unit allegedly made several chilling threats towards her life, the NSW Supreme Court has been told.