Vic: Wife of missing farmer charged with his murder

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2007
Vic: Wife of missing farmer charged with his murder

The wife of a farmer missing in suspicious circumstances for almost seven years will
today face a Melbourne court .. charged with his murder.

Cold case detectives have charged MARGARET UTTLEY of Tarneit .. with the murder of
her husband STEPHEN HENRY UTTLEY.

The 52-year-old fought back tears as she faced a bail justice in an out-of-sessions
hearing at the Melbourne Custody Centre last night.

The bail justice remanded her in custody to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court today.

She didn't apply for bail.



Mr UTTLEY .. a father of four .. lived with his family on the 93 hectare Oatbank Farm
at Tarneit .. near Werribee in Melbourne's west .. until he disappeared in October 2000.

He was last seen leaving a friend's barbecue in Werribee.

He was described as a quiet family man who enjoyed socialising with his family and friends.

Police believed Mr UTTLEY'S disappearance was out of character .. and that he may have
met with foul play.

In a dramatic re-opening of the case last week .. police conducted an extensive search
of the family farm and located items including bones .. which were sent for testing by
forensic experts.

AAP RTV jrd/af/psm/

KEYWORD: UTTLEY (MELBOURNE)

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