Glenn Fenwick charged with murder of Christopher Jarvis, who was last seen in 2006

A man accused of murdering a man who disappeared from Warrnambool 16 years ago has faced abuse in his first court appearance.

Former police officer Steve Johnson was arrested by detectives. Picture: Warrnambool Standard

A man charged with murder over the 2006 disappearance of Warrnambool man Christopher Jarvis has been called a “f---wit” and told to “rot in hell” during his first court appearance.

Glenn Fenwick, 59, briefly appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged over the disappearance of Mr Jarvis, whose car was found torched in Warrnambool.

The hearing was briefly disrupted when a man and woman had an emotional outburst, calling Mr Fenwick a “f---wit” and telling him to “rot in hell”.

The woman also yelled: “I hope you enjoyed watching your children grow up”.

Magistrate Simon Guthrie told the pair to leave the courtroom before proceeding.

As Mr Fenwick was led out of the prisoner dock after the brief administrative hearing had concluded, a woman pleaded to him: “Please tell us where he is, please just tell us where he is”.

Christopher Jarvis

The woman was comforted by others as she broke down in tears.

No details of the alleged murder were aired in court.

Mr Fenwick’s lawyer, Kerry Schroeder, said her client had previously suffered multiple heart attacks and would need to be assessed for ongoing health issues upon his transfer to Melbourne.

He had also “done time” but not for a number of years, Ms Schroeder said.

No application for bail was made and Mr Fenwick was remanded in custody to reappear on April 21.

Mr Fenwick was arrested on Tuesday alongside former cop Steve Johnson who left the force in the 1980s.

Missing Person Squad detectives on Wednesday charged Mr Johnson, from Wangoom, with murder over Mr Jarvis’ disappearance.

Mr Johnson, 70, was charged with one count of murder and was remanded to appear at Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Mr Johnson, 70, was charged with one count of murder and briefly appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The court heard Mr Johnson had a number of medical issues which needed to be monitored in custody, including a hernia, and that he was being medicated for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.

Mr Johnson’s lawyer said it was his client’s first time in custody.

No application for bail was made and Mr Johnson was remanded in custody to reappear on the same date as Mr Fenwick.

Investigators searched houses at Wangoom and Warrnambool.

Missing persons squad police have in recent years renewed the push to solve the Jarvis case, which was initially thought not to involve foul play.

Mr Jarvis was last seen alive at 6am on June 13, 2006 when he left the Warrne Rd, Wangoom, home he shared with his partner and stepchildren.

When Mr Jarvis did not arrive for work at a Warrnambool freight company by 7.30am, staff contacted his partner.

At 8am, his silver 1991 Ford station wagon was found burning at the Thunder Point lookout, a spot popular for its spectacular ocean views.

The Ford, registered RVA 468, had been driven a short distance from a tourist car park into scrub before being incinerated.

Its owner’s body was never found.

The burnt-out car of missing person Christopher Jarvis.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the investigation was originally handled locally as a missing person, amid a belief the disappearance was not suspicious.

But the inquiry was rejuvenated when new information emerged which has been scrutinised by the missing persons squad.

“Further enquiries made by police identified circumstances which would suggest the involvement of other people,” the spokeswoman said.

Victoria Police’s Crime Command Assistant Commissioner, Bob Hill, acknowledged “the past 16 years have been an incredibly difficult time” for the Jarvis family.

“As much as this is about holding those responsible to account, we are hopeful that these arrests bring us closer to providing the answers the family has been desperately seeking and deserves,” Assistant Commissioner Hill said.

“I would like to thank members of the public who provided crucial information to police regarding this matter – as is often the case, such information provided investigators with the last missing piece of the puzzle to advance the investigation.

“In this instance, it has gone a significant way to giving much deserved answers to a grieving family.

“While we now have the opportunity to put this matter before the criminal courts, our efforts to locate the remains of Christopher continue.”

Anyone with more information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 300 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Originally published as Glenn Fenwick charged with murder of Christopher Jarvis, who was last seen in 2006