Police in New South Wales have discovered a decomposed body believed to be that of Julian Ingram, the 37-year-old accused of murdering his pregnant former partner and two others in Lake Cargelligo in January. The body was found next to an abandoned Ford Ranger ute at Round Hill nature reserve, about 50km north-west of the town.
Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland said the body had been there for some time and a firearm was found nearby. Formal identification and cause of death are pending, but police are confident it is Ingram, ending a four-month manhunt that involved hundreds of officers and a $250,000 reward.
Ingram allegedly shot and killed Sophie Quinn, her new partner John Harris, and her aunt Nerida Quinn on 22 January. Quinn was seven months pregnant with a boy she planned to name Troy. The attack occurred outside a house in Lake Cargelligo, where a ute approached and fired at least three shots.
Ingram was on bail at the time for alleged domestic violence offences against Quinn, including stalking and harassment. Court documents show an apprehended domestic violence order was taken out against him in December. Police have faced scrutiny over the decision to grant bail, but have stated that a risk assessment found he did not pose an unacceptable risk.
Police are investigating how Ingram obtained the weapon allegedly used in the shootings, as he never held a gun licence. The firearm found next to his body has not yet been linked to the murders. The investigation into the handling of the case by police is ongoing.
