A man has been extradited from Victoria and charged over the alleged murder of Hunter Valley man John Simpson.
Mr Simpson was reported missing to police in April 2023 after being last seen on Great North Road in Laguna, about 40 kilometres southwest of Cessnock.
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The 42-year-old man’s body was found in a shallow grave during the search of a remote property on the same road over a month later.
Strike Force Blakely was set up to investigate the circumstances after local police commenced inquiries.
The initial inquiries suggest Mr Simpson suffered a fatal gunshot wound.
On Tuesday this week, strike force detectives located three firearms during another property research.
These three firearms were seized to undergo further forensic examination.
With assistance from the Victoria Police Fugitive Squad, a 34-year-old man was arrested in Carlton, Melbourne, later the same day.
The man was escorted by detectives on a flight to Sydney yesterday before being charged with murder and possessing an unauthorised firearm.
Police will allege in court that the 34-year-old man fatally shot Mr Simpson before burying him on a property in Laguna.
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