Human remains found in search for missing Sunbury man, male suspect arrested by police
A man has been arrested after human remains were discovered in relation to the disappearance of a Victorian man.
Sunbury man Joshua Bishop, 23, had been missing for a month after last being seen by his housemates about 9.30pm on May 27.
He was reported missing two days later.
On Saturday, police executed a search warrant at a home in Erinbank Crescent in Westmeadows where they found human remains.
The human remains have not yet been identified but police believe they may belong to Mr Bishop.
Detectives arrested a 27-year-old man at the scene and he is expected to face questioning on the remains.
The Missing Persons Squad is leading the investigation, which remains ongoing.
Anyone who has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
30 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Black tarp put up around Erin Patterson's Leongatha home in Victoria as jury starts deliberations
Black plastic sheets have been put up around Erin Patterson's Victorian home, where the fatal lunch was held almost two years ago. 7NEWS can exclusively reveal that supporters of Patterson erected the tarps in the past couple of days. The plastic blocks any eye access from the road to the car port, the verandah and the front door. There's only one gap left for a car to park in. On Monday, 12 jurors started deliberating whether Patterson intended to murder her lunch guests when she served them death cap mushroom laced-beef Wellingtons. The Victorian Supreme Court jury was sent out about 1pm after hearing nine weeks of evidence, lawyers' arguments and judge's directions. Patterson denies intentionally poisoning her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, Gail's sister Heather and Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson. Don, Gail and Heather all died after consuming the beef Wellington lunch on July 29, 2023, while Ian survived. During his five days of directions, known as a charge, Justice Christopher Beale outlined evidence in the case and the arguments from both sides. On Monday, he told jurors that prosecutors did not have to prove Patterson had a motive to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt. But Justice Beale said they could consider the lack of motive in Patterson's favour when assessing whether she had an intention to kill. Intention was one element of the murder charges that was in dispute, so jurors needed to consider whether the lunch host wanted to kill or cause really serious injury to her guests, the judge said.
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Jury in mushroom cook Erin Patterson's murder trial retires to deliberate verdict, after nine weeks of court in Victoria
The jury tasked with deciding the fate of mushroom cook Erin Patterson has retired to deliberate its verdict, as the murder trial draws to a close. Justice Christopher Beale finished his directions to the jury on Monday, marking the start of the tenth week of the high-profile proceedings in the regional Victorian town of Morwell. The 14-person panel was reduced to 12 jurors after two were balloted off shortly before lunchtime. The jury, which must reach a unanimous verdict, will be sequestered as they deliberate, meaning they will not be able to return home until a decision is reached. Ms Patterson is accused of murdering her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, as well as Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, by serving them a poisonous beef wellington lunch on July 29, 2023. The 50-year-old is also accused of the attempted murder of Heather's husband and local church pastor Ian Wilkinson, who survived the meal after a lengthy stint in hospital. Prosecutors allege Ms Patterson's beef wellington lunch, which was held at her house in Leongatha, was intentionally laced with death cap mushrooms. Ms Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. The prosecution alleges Ms Patterson deliberately poisoned each of her lunch guests by intentionally serving them the meal with toxic mushrooms, a claim the defence has denied. It is further alleged Ms Patterson concocted a cancer diagnosis to invite her guests over for lunch as she needed advice on how to break the medical news to her children. Ms Patterson has accepted death caps were in the meal but denies the poisonings were intentional, with the defence describing the events of July 29 as a 'tragedy and a terrible accident'. Delivering his closing remarks, Justice Beale reminded the jury that any verdict they reach must be unanimous in relation to each charge. However, he said this requirement does not mean each juror must reach their verdict for the same reasons as they may rely on different evidence in the case to make their decision. "Use your heads, not your hearts," Justice Beale told the jury. It is not clear when a verdict is expected to be delivered. "You will deliberate Mondays to Saturdays here at the court in the privacy of the jury room," the judge said. The judge confirmed the jury will not deliberate on Sundays, but will remain sequestered. Justice Beale reminded the jury that the prosecution has not suggested a motive, but carries the onus of proving Ms Patterson's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Ms Patterson faces three counts of murder in relation to Don and Gail Patterson, and Heather Wilkinson. In order for Ms Patterson to be convicted of murder, the prosecution must prove all four of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt. Ms Patterson caused the deaths of her three lunch guests by serving them a poisoned meal Ms Patterson's alleged conduct was conscious, voluntary and deliberate At the time of the alleged conduct, Ms Patterson intended to kill or cause really serious injury to the deceased Ms Patterson killed the deceased without lawful justification or excuse In order for Ms Patterson to be found guilty of the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, the jury must be satisfied of the following four elements beyond a reasonable doubt. Ms Patterson consciously, voluntarily and deliberately served Mr Wilkinson a poisoned meal Ms Patterson's alleged conduct was more than merely preparatory to killing Mr Wilkinson, and immediately and not remotely connected with killing Mr Wilkinson At the time of the alleged conduct, Ms Patterson intended to kill Mr Wilkinson Ms Patterson's alleged conduct had no lawful justification or excuse The trial is being heard in the Latrobe Valley courthouse precinct in Morwell, about 154 kilometres from Melbourne.
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Heartbreaking and devastated': Melbourne family's worst fears confirmed
A Melbourne family has had their worst fears realised after human remains were found at a home in Westmeadows as part of the investigation into Joshua Bishop's disappearance. In a statement released on Sunday evening, Mr Bishop's grieving relatives confirmed their worst fears had come true. 'With the heaviest hearts, we share that our beloved Joshua has been found – but sadly not in the way we had hoped,' it read. 'We are devastated and struggling to find the words.' Mr Bishop's uncle Simon Bishop shared a photo of the family, saying 'this is the last photo I have of you standing by my side. The last image of our family complete. My nephew, my friend, my blood.' Brandon Watts, 27, from Westmeadows, appeared from the dock of Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Monday morning charged with Mr Bishop's murder. Mr Watts was arrested on Saturday evening, with charge sheets alleging Mr Bishop, 23, was murdered in Westmeadows between May 27 and 28. Mr Watts was remanded in custody to reappear in court on September 22. Mr Bishop was last seen on May 27 by his housemate in Sunbury, leaving his friends and family with no answers for more than a month until the weekend's fatal discovery. His phone and bank accounts had not been accessed since May 27, and his phone last pinged at Broadmeadows Valley Park on Barry Rd. Detectives described his disappearance as 'completely out of character'. No details about the alleged murder were aired during the brief administrative hearing. A Facebook group called 'Find Joshua Bishop' was set up in the wake of the young man's disappearance, garnering 13,000 followers and hundreds of thousands of views. Mr Bishop's family expressed their gratitude at the 'incredible support, generosity, and compassion' throughout this 'heartbreaking time', revealing they've been 'surrounded by love through every moment of this journey'.
