ONE MONTH to the day since a $750,000 reward was offered, police are no closer to finding the body of a murdered Tamworth mother.
On Tuesday, Oxley police confirmed no new information has been unearthed since the reward was announced to find the remains of Johann Morgan.
Oxley Detective Acting Inspector Jason Darcy told The Leader investigations continue, but no one has come forward.
“No new information has come to light in the investigation and inquiries as to the whereabouts of Ms Morgan’s remain continue,” he said on Tuesday.
“Police have been conducting inquiries but are no closer to finding her remains.”
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On June 18, Oxley police announced the $750,000 reward was on offer for any information leading police to the discovery of the mother and grandmother’s remains.
Troy Jason Ruttley – Ms Morgan’s then partner – is serving 24 years for her violent murder inside her Cole Road home in early-August 2015. Ruttley will not be eligible for parole until 2033.
It’s understood he has not spoken to investigators, but Detective Acting Inspector Darcy would not comment.
For Johann’s family, it means almost three years of not knowing, goes on.
“Johann’s family need answers,” Detective Acting Inspector Darcy said.
“Her remains are outstanding and the case will remain open until her body is found.
“We believe there are people out there who know what happened to Ms Morgan and we urge them to come forward so that we can bring her family closure.”
“If anyone has information, we would once again encourage them to contact Oxley police or Crime Stoppers.”
In 2017, it took a Tamworth jury less than two days to find Ruttley, then 45, guilty of murder after a trial spanning more than seven days, despite the absence of Ms Morgan’s remains.
Investigators from Strike Force Chiltern – the Oxley police operation set-up to investigate the murder – spent months searching for Ms Morgan’s body.
Officers combed several properties, creeks, paddocks and areas from the back of Coledale to Bective and Winton but found no trace of her remains.
The car used to transport her body was found burnt out at a quarry off the Oxley Highway, 17km from Tamworth.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
