Man charged with murder following discovery of woman’s body

A man has been charged with murder following the grim discovery of a woman’s body in north-west Victoria on Tuesday morning.

The body, believed to be a woman, was found after fire crews responded to a grass fire on the outskirts of Quambatook, a small farming town about 300km north-west of Melbourne, about 6.30am.

Homicide detectives arrested a 67-year-old Quambatook man in the Welshmans Reef area, about 180km south of the crime scene at Quambatook, on Wednesday morning.

Police interviewed the man and subsequently charged him with murder.

The Gannawarra Shire Council said it was working to support the tight-knit community following the “tragic” incident.

“Any loss of life in small rural communities such as Quambatook has a wider impact on the area,” a statement read.

“Our thoughts are with family members and friends of all affected by this incident.”

The council said it was working with local health services to provide “urgent trauma counselling for those that need it”.

Victoria Police said their investigation remains ongoing.

The man was remanded to appear at Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.