Alleged killer fronts court after burnt body found near cemetery in regional Victoria

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A man accused of killing a woman in Quambatook, a small town in Victoria’s far north-west, has faced court after a burnt body was found by emergency services responding to a fire near a cemetery earlier this week.

Brian Barnes, 67, was arrested on Wednesday in Welshmans Reef, 180 kilometres away from the crime scene, after human remains – believed to belong to a missing local woman, a much-respected volunteer and community organiser – were discovered about 6.30am on Tuesday.

Credit: Louie Douvis

Barnes, also known as Bert Barnes, faced Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. The court heard police were fighting to use a sample of Barnes’ DNA as part of their homicide investigation.

Defence lawyer Paul Kidd revealed his client was still unaware of the particulars of the allegations against him, including how police claim he had committed the alleged murder.

Discussing an application to hand over a saliva swab, Kidd asked magistrate Jarrod Williams to allow him time to talk to his client.

Emergency services were called to a grass fire at Quambatook, a small farming town on the Avoca River, on Tuesday before CFA crews discovered the remains.

Kidd said it was in the interests of justice that his client knew more about the allegations against him before a decision was made on the swab.

“He should know the basis on what that application is made,” Kidd said.

“He was found unfit for interview yesterday. He does not know what allegations against him are. I think he’s entitled to know how it is police say he is the offender.”

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