Former in-laws charged with murder of Campbell Town man Shane Geoffrey Barker

In a shock development that comes nearly 11 years after his gunshot death, Campbell Town man Shane Geoffrey Barker’s former in-laws have been charged with his murder.

Campbell Town murder victim Shane Barker. Photo: FILE

A BREAKTHROUGH in the decade-old mystery gunshot death of Campbell Town man Shane Geoffrey Barker has finally arrived with the shock arrest of his ex-wife’s parents.

Swansea married couple Cedric Harper Jordan, 68, and Noelene June Jordan, 65, are now behind bars and potentially awaiting trial after police arrested and charged them with murder during the early hours of Monday morning.

Shane Barker died on August 2, 2009.

The development comes almost 11 years after Mr Barker’s death on August 2, 2009 — making it one of Tasmania’s longest-running murder investigations.

EIGHT OF THE STATE’S MOST BAFFLING COLD CASES

The Jordans are accused of killing their former son-in-law by shooting him four times at his Campbell Town home. The Mercury previously reported Mr Barker, 36, was married to the Jordans’ daughter Rachael, but the pair had divorced.

Mr Barker was also father to the Jordans’ granddaughter, Sophie, who was five years old when her father was seemingly gunned down with a 0.22-calibre rifle or a similar firearm.

Tasmania Police search for bullet casings in the field adjacent to the residence where Shane Barker was murdered. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Mr Barker lived alone in the Midlands township where he and his siblings were raised.

His parents, who lived nearby, were the last people to see him alive, just hours before he was allegedly murdered in his front yard.

His body was found the following morning, with “tireless” detectives refusing to close the book on their investigations.

In the Hobart Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon, Mr Jordan pleaded not guilty to murder and was remanded in custody to appear in the Launceston Supreme Court on July 20.

Mrs Jordan was brought up from the cells separately, but did not enter a plea. She will return to court on June 4.

Neither applied for bail, with Magistrate Michael Daly remanding them both in custody.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Ian Whish-Wilson. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Acting Assistant Commissioner Ian Whish-Wilson said he couldn’t elaborate on the case.

“This arrest is the culmination of a lengthy investigation by the Serious Organised Crime division of Tasmania Police,” he said.

“The investigation has been complex, and is one of Tasmania Police’s longest-running murder investigations. A team of dedicated investigators has worked tirelessly to bring those allegedly responsible for Mr Barker’s murder to justice.”

He said Mr Barker’s family and the Tasmanian community could have “confidence that Tasmania Police has conducted an exhaustive inquiry”.

He added that two detectives travelled to Campbell Town on Monday to speak to Mr Barker’s family members about the development.