'Body in freezer' murder accused charged with second offence
A man extradited from Byron Bay has been charged with the murder of his parents' neighbour at Ipswich, and interfering with a corpse, after human remains were found in a freezer buried in a back yard.
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LATEST: The young Peak Crossing father and volunteer firefighter arrested following the discovery of a body in a freezer has been formally charged with murder after being extradited from NSW.
Bobby Andrew Weaver, 24, arrived in Ipswich about 1pm yesterday afternoon, having faced a brief extradition hearing at Tweed Heads Local Court via video link.
The accused faced Ipswich Magistrates Court later in the afternoon, after being formally charged with the murder of 58-year-old David Thornton.
Weaver was charged with the murder of David Charles Thornton at Goodna between January 24 and March 30.
He was additionally charged with inappropriately interfering with a corpse.
Weaver appeared in the dock of court 1, with a dark beard he stood silently in prison greens, with his hands clasped behind his back.
Prosecutor Sergeant Rose Molinaro read the charges. Legal aid lawyer Alexis Oxley made no bail application. The matters were adjourned to April 17.
Following an autopsy, Ipswich detectives yesterday confirmed the human remains unearthed in a freezer at a Goodna property on Monday belonged to the missing man.
Mr Thornton was last seen in February.
Investigations continued at Mr Thornton's Parker St property yesterday, with police divers searching a creek not far from the spot where two freezers were dug from the ground earlier this week.
It is alleged Weaver and Mr Thornton had known each other for about 20 years.
Weaver was arrested in Byron Bay on Tuesday after Ipswich detectives executed an arrest warrant.
Alleged killer is new dad, firey
ACCUSED "body in freezer" killer Bobby Andrew Weaver is a Mount Forbes volunteer firefighter, a father and a fiance.
Detective Inspector David Briese said police do not expect to make any further arrests relating to the death.
"What we talk to (Mr Weaver) about today and the coming weeks is just piecing together what exactly the relationship was and what occurred leading up to why we're here," he said yesterday.
Police are unsure of the exact date of Mr Thornton's death, but Mr Weaver had been interviewed prior to the excavation at Mr Thornton's house.
"He was treated as pretty much everyone else that was assisting us," Insp Briese said. "As the investigation grew and we were able to piece more and more things together, he then became a more significant person of interest."
Police also raided a home at Peak Crossing Tuesday afternoon, where it is understood Mr Weaver lived.
UPDATE: 'Body in freezer' murder accused charged with second offence
Extradited from Byron Bay, 24-year-old Bobby Andrew Weaver was charged with the murder of his parents' neighbour, David Charles Thornton, 58, at Goodna between January 24 and March 30.
He has also been charged with inappropriately interfering with a body between January 24 and March 30.
Weaver arrived from NSW at Ipswich courthouse with detectives at 1pm.
He appeared in the dock of court 1.
Looking tanned and sporting a dark beard, he stood silently in prison greens, hands clasped behind his back.
Prosecutor Sergeant Rose Molinaro read the two charges to the court.
No pleas were required at this first mention of the serious charges, and Legal Aid lawyer Alexis Oxley made no bail application.
Weaver's matter was then adjourned by Magistrate Andy Cridland to April 17.
EARLIER: Remains confirmed as missing man David Thornton
DETECTIVES have confirmed human remains discovered at a Goodna property this week belong to missing 58-year-old man David Thornton.
Results of forensic examinations and investigations by Ipswich Criminal Investigation Branch and the Homicide Investigation Unit have led detectives to this conclusion.
A 24-year-old man is expected to appear in the Ipswich Magistrates Court later today after extradition was granted in NSW this morning.
Police divers attended the property this morning where they searched a creek as part of ongoing investigations.
A freezer from the backyard was located during excavations on the weekend which contained human remains.
Mr Thornton was last seen in February.
EARLIER:
BOBBY Andrew Weaver, the man charged with the murder of David Charles Thornton, 58, at Goodna, is a Mount Forbes volunteer firefighter, a father to an infant daughter and a fiance.
Detective Inspector David Briese said police do not expect to make any further arrests.
"What we talk to (Mr Weaver) about today and the coming weeks and just piecing together what exactly the relationship was and what occurred leading up to why we're here," he said.
Police are still unsure to the exact date of Mr Thornton's death, however Mr Weaver had been interviewed prior to the excavation of Mr Thornton's house.
"He was treated as pretty much everyone else that was assisting us," Insp Briese said.
"As the investigation grew and we were able to piece more and more things together, he then became a more significant person of interest."
Weaver's family live in the two properties neighbouring Mr Thornton's.
Police also raided a home at Peak Crossing late yesterday afternoon, where it is understood Mr Weaver lived.