Earlier this year, police released footage they said was of Julian Ingram on the day of the alleged murders. Photo: NSW Police.
CONTENT WARNING: This story contains details that may distress some readers.
Police have defended their handling of the manhunt for alleged triple murderer Julian Ingram as they await confirmation they’ve found his body.
On Monday evening (11 May), NSW Police announced a body had been found beside a ute at Roundhill Nature Reserve, in the state’s west.
Western Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland said that while they were waiting on a formal identification, they believe it is Ingram.
At the time, he said the body was found in “a very decomposed state.”
The following day (12 May), he said a postmortem will be carried out shortly.
“We’re hoping that a few days after that, we’ll be able to confirm [the body’s identity].”
He also confirmed that the vehicle and firearms found at the reserve have been sent for forensic testing.
Police were seeking Ingram in connection with the alleged murders of his pregnant ex-partner Sophie Quinn, her aunt Nerida Quinn and John Harris in Lake Cargelligo on 22 January 2026.
Assistant Commissioner Holland said the actions of police during the near-four-month manhunt for Ingram would be covered in an upcoming inquest.
He said this would include whether police missed earlier chances to locate him.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service staff found the abandoned vehicle while carrying out feral animal eradication in the area.
“The area where the deceased has been located is back towards Euabalong.
“Obviously, police searched extensively around Euabalong and out to west Euabalong, the farmland and farming sheds at the location.
“It’s probably, at this point, fair to say it’s the area between the two major search areas.”
Roundhill Nature Reserve is also about 100 kilometres by 40 kilometres, with police searchers covering the nearby Nombinnie National Park.
“Obviously, it’s a fair distance to cover,” he said.
“It’s a massive area of land out there. Obviously, the flight paths of the PolAir [police aircraft] will be investigated as part of the coronial investigation.”
He also said police don’t believe that Ingram was being helped while on the run.
“It would appear, at this stage, that is not likely to be the case.
“We are looking at how much the body has deteriorated [before it was found].”
He said police received more than 300 intelligence reports during their search.
On Tuesday afternoon, Lachlan Shire Council Mayor John Medcalf thanked the people and services who had helped locals over the past months.
“Lachlan Shire Council welcomes the latest development in the discovery of a body believed to be Julian Ingram,” he wrote in a statement.
“We acknowledge that the development will not bring victims back, but it will allow the community to breathe a collective sigh of relief and begin the healing required.”
Assistant Commissioner Holland said the body’s discovery, if it is Ingram, would mean “the community can move on, they can grieve”.
He also pushed back on a suggestion of any division in the Lake Cargelligo community.
“I would disagree that the town is divided. I would say the town is coming to a point now where it’s relief [that they’re feeling].”
Original Article published by Claire Sams on Region Riverina.
