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Law enforcement have charged a individual with murder, just hours after bones were found during a investigation for the remains of a female who vanished more than two years ago.

Major Development in Longstanding Case

The discovery of human remains, thought to be those of Susan Goodwin, buried in the garden of a residence in Port Lincoln, South Australia, marked a significant advancement in the long-dormant investigation.

Major crime investigators took into custody and accused a senior Port Lincoln resident with the killing of Goodwin, who was reported missing in mid-2002.

Legal Proceedings

The suspect was due to appear in Port Lincoln magistrates court on Thursday.

Search Efforts

Earlier, authorities indicated they had paused their excavation after the discovery of bones at a Port Lincoln address during initial excavations.

An anthropologist from the state forensics department and additional resources from the forensic response unit and homicide division were dispatched to the town to confirm if the bones were of human origin and continue the dig.

Police had been using advanced radar equipment to examine a site on a local street, which is near Moonta Crescent, where Goodwin had resided.

Family’s Two-Decade Search

On Tuesday, a senior detective commented that it was “heartbreaking that Susan’s loved ones have endured the last twenty-three years without answers”.

Case History

The victim was spotted around midday on a July day in 2002, after running errands at local supermarkets in Port Lincoln.

Authorities had earlier stated she was murdered “by someone who was familiar to her” and suspect the killer still resides in the community.

Several years ago, investigators revealed that a public appeal for information had resulted in seven persons of interest being eliminated by the investigation.

A reward of as much as $200,000 is available for information that results in the conviction of the perpetrator and/or evidence that leads to the discovery of her remains.