Home Australia Country town’s heartbreak as beloved grandmother is allegedly murdered and her body is discovered in the smouldering remains of a grassfire

Country town’s heartbreak as beloved grandmother is allegedly murdered and her body is discovered in the smouldering remains of a grassfire

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Brian Barnes is charged with murder.

The woman allegedly murdered and thrown into a grass fire has been identified as a beloved grandmother and community stalwart as her alleged killer faced court.

Police discovered Merril Kelly’s body when emergency services were called to a fire near a cemetery in Quambatook, northwest Victoria, shortly after 6.30am on Tuesday.

Homicide Squad detectives arrested Brian Barnes, 67, “without incident” almost 200 kilometers away in the Welshmans Reef area shortly afterwards.

He appeared at Bendigo Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with Ms Kelly’s murder, but no details were given about how she allegedly died or why.

His death has shocked this Victorian town with a population of just over 200, where he played a key role throughout his life.

Kelly had spent 27 years on the board of directors of Northern District Community Health until his retirement in 2023.

“Her loss has shaken the community,” the organization posted online Thursday, without naming Ms. Kelly.

‘Northern District Community Health is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of a beloved life member, community leader and friend.

Brian Barnes is charged with murder.

Merril Kelly was allegedly murdered by Brian Barnes

Merril Kelly was allegedly murdered by Brian Barnes

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family, as well as the people of Quambatook.”

This small country town is about 70 kilometers south of Swan Hill and almost 300 kilometers northwest of Melbourne.

The court heard police had applied for a mandatory procedure to extract Barnes’ DNA from a belt buckle.

These procedures are usually routine when someone is accused of murder.

“In the interest of justice, this matter can be dealt with at a later date,” his lawyer Paul Kidd said in court.

“You should know what the basis for that request is.”

The matter was adjourned until next week, when it is expected to be heard in closed court.

A police prosecutor told court detectives they needed 24 weeks to compile the brief of evidence against Barnes, which was rejected by the magistrate.

“24 weeks is a long time,” he said.

Police hoped to have more time than usual to analyze any evidence that might emerge from the DNA extracted from Barnes.

The court heard it was Barnes’ first time in custody and he was suffering from blood pressure complications.

Kidd made no bail application and his client was remanded in custody to reappear in court on April 30.

Merril Kelly (center) after her retirement from Northern District Community Health in 2023

Merril Kelly (center) after her retirement from Northern District Community Health in 2023

Ms Kelly's body was discovered near the intersection of Cemetery Rd and Knight Rd in Quambatook, northwest Victoria.

Ms Kelly’s body was discovered near the intersection of Cemetery Rd and Knight Rd in Quambatook, northwest Victoria.

The Quambatook Lions Club and Quambatook Community Development Association, with which Ms Kelly is understood to have had strong ties, announced they would cancel Sunday’s Australia Day celebrations “due to the tragic events”.

According to a social media post, the two groups will “evaluate in the coming weeks how to come together as a community to recognize the residents who help make our city special.”

In one of her last tragic online posts, Kelly asked her local community for help in creating a Christmas dish.

‘Does anyone have any mint they can share?’ she asked. “It’s for a traditional family dish of carrot and pineapple jello salad.”

The mint was supplied by the owner of the local cafe, who closed his doors along with much of the town as he struggles to come to terms with the grief of her death.

The pool where Kelly worked tirelessly also closed despite the scorching heat.

One local, who wished to remain anonymous, told Daily Mail Australia that Ms Kelly was well known for being “community-focused” and “generous”.

Other locals and community groups took to social media to express their grief and also thank the police for their “quick response”.

Quambatook is about 300 km northwest of Melbourne.

Quambatook is about 300 km northwest of Melbourne.

“The quick response from Victoria Police yesterday morning and the speed and professionalism you all showed in dealing with this tragic event was unparalleled,” one local wrote on Facebook.

‘Thank you to Victoria Police for your exceptional service.

“Their actions have brought a sense of hope and justice to a grieving community, and for that we are immensely grateful.”

Another posted that he was thinking about ‘Quamby’.

“As a police officer and yesterday when I went to work to read what had happened, my heart broke,” he said.

‘Not only for the victim, but for the city that I love so much.

‘Spending my younger years in Quamby, I know it is the incredible people and support of the town that will help Quamby and the wider community heal… thinking of all of you.

‘Thank you to Victoria Police for your exceptional service.

“Their actions have brought a sense of hope and justice to a grieving community, and for that we are immensely grateful.”

The Gannawarra Shire Council spokesperson said the council is “saddened by the tragic event”.

“Any loss of life in small rural communities like Quambatook has a wider impact on the area,” the spokesperson said.

‘Our thoughts are with the family and friends of all those affected by this incident.

‘(The) council and local health services, including Northern District Community Health and Kerang District Health, are collaborating to ensure we have a coordinated response for urgent trauma counseling for those who need it.

“(The) council will also provide support and resources where we can to assist agencies during and after the investigation.”

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