In a grim development that has deepened the mystery surrounding the murder of Victorian farmer Richard Wills, police have excavated further at the remote crime scene near Ouyen and uncovered additional evidence buried alongside the 65-year-old’s body. The discovery has prompted a chilling new theory about the final moments of the popular grandfather’s life, while investigators continue to explore whether the killing was connected to organised livestock theft in the region.

Richard Wills was last seen alive on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, when he left his home in Hughs Street, Ouyen, around 8 a.m. to tend to his 1,600-acre sheep and pig farm along the Mallee Highway. He never returned. His wife of 32 years, Donna, reported him missing the following morning when he failed to come home. A large-scale search involving police and volunteers was launched, and on Tuesday, April 7, officers made the devastating discovery: Wills’ body was found buried in a shallow grave on his own property.

An autopsy confirmed he had been fatally shot. Forensic examination also revealed disturbing evidence that his body had been dragged behind a vehicle across the farm before being hastily buried. The crime scene was described by detectives as confronting and extensive, with multiple access points to the isolated property. Wills’ ute and mobile phone were located nearby, adding to the puzzling circumstances.

In recent days, investigators returned to the site and dug approximately one metre deeper into the grave area. There, they uncovered additional items buried with the body that are now being examined as potential evidence. While specific details of the new finds have not been publicly released, sources close to the investigation suggest the objects could provide critical clues about the sequence of events and the identity of those involved. The deeper excavation has reinforced the belief that the burial was deliberate and calculated, aimed at concealing the crime rather than a hasty, panicked act.

Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Trewavas from Victoria Police’s Missing Persons Squad has described the killing as “vicious” and confirmed it is being treated as homicide. He has repeatedly emphasised that the perpetrator or perpetrators likely knew Richard Wills personally. “We suspect that a person who knows Ric is responsible for this crime,” Trewavas stated. The remote nature of the farm, combined with Wills’ habit of leaving gates unlocked and being approachable to locals, has led investigators to theorise that he may have been ambushed by someone he recognised and trusted.

A particularly chilling theory has now emerged regarding Wills’ final moments. Police believe he was working alone on the property when he was confronted. The attack is thought to have escalated quickly, resulting in him being shot before his body was dragged and buried. The discovery of additional items buried with him has strengthened the view that the killer (or killers) took time to stage the scene, suggesting a level of premeditation and familiarity with the farm’s layout.

One of the most compelling lines of inquiry centres on organised livestock theft. The Ouyen and broader Mallee region has experienced a surge in sophisticated sheep thefts, with some farmers losing valuable Merino flocks worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Wills himself had reportedly mentioned missing sheep from his property in the weeks leading up to his death. Police have confirmed they are “mindful” of a possible connection to what locals sometimes refer to as the “Merino Mafia” — highly coordinated rural crime networks that operate across Victoria and into South Australia.

The involvement of two or possibly three men has also been indicated by forensic evidence, including tyre tracks, drag marks, and the logistics of moving and burying the body. This has shifted the investigation from a potential lone offender to a group effort, raising questions about whether Wills confronted thieves on his land or became an inconvenient witness to their activities.

The small town of Ouyen, with a population of just over 1,100, has been left in shock. Richard Wills was well-known and respected as a hardworking farmer and family man. His widow Donna has made emotional public appeals for information, describing her husband’s death as incomprehensible. “Why would they want to do it to him?” she asked, pleading for anyone with knowledge to come forward. The family has also highlighted the brutality of the crime, noting that Wills was simply going about his normal routine on Easter Sunday when tragedy struck.

As the investigation intensifies, police are urging the community to report any suspicious vehicles, individuals, or activity near the Wills property on Easter Sunday or in the preceding days. They are particularly interested in information about livestock theft or any tensions involving the victim. Detectives have been canvassing the area, reviewing CCTV, and speaking with locals who may hold key pieces of the puzzle.

The case has highlighted growing concerns about rural crime in Victoria. Organised theft of livestock has become a lucrative business for some criminal groups, often involving sophisticated planning and intimidation. If proven, a link between Wills’ murder and such a network would mark a disturbing escalation in regional crime.

For now, the identity of the suspect or suspects remains unknown, but police remain confident that someone close to Wills or familiar with his routines holds the answers. The deeper excavation and new evidence have given investigators fresh momentum, even as the motive and full circumstances of that Easter Sunday remain shrouded in mystery.

The quiet farming community of Ouyen is now united in grief and a determination to see justice served. Richard Wills left home for a normal day’s work and never returned, leaving behind a devastated family and a town searching for closure. As forensic teams continue their meticulous work and detectives chase every lead, the hope remains that the chilling secrets buried with him on that remote property will eventually be brought to light.

The investigation into the murder of Richard Wills is ongoing, with police appealing for public assistance. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers or their local police station.