Second Man Charged Over The Death Of John Simpson At Laguna

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A second man has been charged in relation to the alleged murder of another man in Laguna earlier this year.

John Simpson was reported missing to police in April 2023, after he was last seen on Great North Road in Laguna.

As part of inquiries, officers conducted a search of a nearby property, where they located the 42-year-old's body in May. 

Initial inquiries suggest Mr. Simpson suffered a fatal gunshot wound.

A 34-year-old man was arrested and charged with murder earlier this year and remains before the courts. 

Following further investigation, Strike Force Blakey detectives arrested a 49-year-old man at Cessnock Police Station yesterday (Tuesday the 14th of November, 2023). 

He was charged with accessory after the fact of murder and refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court today. 

75-Year-Old Man Arrested Over Alleged Historic Child Sex Offences At Laguna

 BY IAN CROUCH

A 75-year-old man is due to front court today over alleged historic child sex offences in the Hunter.

In May, detectives from the Sex Crimes Squad began investigating allegations a girl had been sexually assaulted by a man known to her on a number of occasions between 2010 and 2015.

Following investigations, detectives attended a rural property at Furnances Crossing on Wednesday, 45kms south west of Cessnock, and arrested the alleged offender.

He's been charged with 21 offences including 12 counts of having intercourse with a person older than 10 and younger than 14.

The man's been refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court today (Thursday 17 August, 2023).

Man Extradited From Victoria Accused Of Murdering John Simpson At Laguna

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man has been arrested in Victoria over the alleged murder of Laguna man, John Simpson  earlier this year.

The 42-year-old was reported missing in April, with his body found on a property in the Laguna area the following month - he'd suffered a fatal gunshot wound.

On Tuesday, police conducted a second search of the property and seized three firearms.

With the help of the Victoria Police Fugitive Squad, a 34-year-old man was arrested in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton.

He's been extradited to Sydney and will face the Downing Centre Local Court today (Thursday 20 July, 2023) charged with murder.

Police will allege the 34-year-old shot John Simpson before burying him on a property at Laguna.

 

A 34-year-old man has been extradited from Victoria over the alleged murder of John Simpson at Laguna

Murder Investigation Underway for Man Found Dead at Laguna

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Homicide Squad Detectives have confirmed they've commenced a murder investigation after a man was found dead at Laguna last month. 

The body of 42-year old John Simpson was found in a shallow grave at a property on Great North Road at Laguna on Tuesday the 16th of May. 

He was last seen driving on the same road a month earlier. 

A post-mortem examination of Mr. Simpson's body had reportedly concluded he was shot, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death are now underway. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

John Simpson

BREAKING! Body Found in Search for Missing Laguna Man

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A body has been located during the search for missing Laguna man John Simpson. 

The 42-year-old was last seen driving on Great North Road at Laguna on Thursday the 13th of April, after it's believed his vehicle broke down on his way home.

When he could not be located or contacted, Hunter Valley Police officers were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

As part of inquiries, officers with assistance of specialist police resources and SES workers launched a fresh appeal for information and conducted a search operation around the Laguna area on Tuesday. 

It's there they located a body. 

A post mortem examination will be conducted to confirm the identity of the person and the cause of their death.

Investigations by Strike Force Blakely are underway. 

John Simpson

UPDATE! Police Lodge Fresh Appeal for More Information on Missing Laguna Man

BY IAN CROUCH/SHY-ANN ARKINSTALL

Detective Inspector Matt Zimmer addressed the media today as the search for missing Laguna man John Simpson continues.

The 42-year-old was last sighted in his car on Great North Road just after 2:00pm on April 13th, and it is believed his white Toyota Hilux utility broke down on his way home from work.

The car was later discovered at his premises.

Detective Zimmer has today issued a fresh call to Hunter residents with any information on Mr. Simpson's whereabouts to come forward. 

"Anyone who has driven past that location and saw Mr. Simpson, I'd urge them to contact police or Crime Stoppers," he said.

Police have said Mr. Simpson is known to go weeks without contacting friends or family but the length of time since his last sighting is a cause for concern. 

"The timing of the last sighting of Mr. Simpson on the 23th of April coincides with a time period that he was vacating his current premises in Laguna. There is every possibility that he has relocated to another area and not informed anyone. There's also a possibility that he could have relocated interstate. We are asking anyone who knows the current whereabouts of Mr. Simpson to make contact with Cessnock Police or Crime Stoppers," Detective Zimmer said.

Police will spend the afternoon searching the vicinity around Great North Road, Watagan Creek Road and Milsons Arm Road as he has been known to walk or pushbike in the area. 

If he cannot be found they will make a further assessment later this afternoon. 

Rescue services from as far away as Merriwa and Taree have joined in on the search effort.

Detective Inspector Matt Zimmer

EARLIER:

Police will address the media today as the search for missing Laguna man, John Simpson ramps up.

The 42-year-old was last seen driving on Great North Road on Thursday April 13 after it's believed his vehicle broke down on his way home.

His family has told police his disappearance is out of character.

Hunter Valley Police searched a Laguna property last week and today, the search will continue in the Laguna area, along Great North, Watagan Creek and Milsons Arm Roads.

EARLIER:

Police are asking for our help to find a man who's been missing from the Coalfields area for a month.

42-year-old John Simpson was seen at an address on Great North Road at Laguna on Wednesday April 12.

Police and his family say his disappearance is out of character.

John is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall with a medium build, brown hair and a grey beard.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers.

Missing Man John Simpson

Moderate Flood Warning Issued for Wollombi Brook Area

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A moderate flood warning has been forecast for the Wollombi Brook area.

The flooding will impact the towns and surrounding areas of Broke, Bulga, Laguna, Millfield, Wollombi, Brickmans Bridge, Ellalong, and Paxton.

The Wollombi Brook at Bulga may peak near 3.70 metres around 7:00 pm on Tuesday with moderate flooding.

The Wollombi Brook at Wollombi is expected to remain below the minor flood level.

The Bureau says people in areas likely to be impacted by flooding in Low-lying areas of Wollombi Brook Area should prepare for potential isolation and possible evacuation.

People in areas likely to be impacted by flooding should consider:

• Refraining from driving or walking through flood water   
• Road closures and flood isolation may impact on work, family and educational commitments
•  Monitoring emergency warnings and severe weather updates on NSW SES Hunter Facebook Page and Bureau of Meteorology website   
• If your property is at risk of inundation, please raise moveable items, such as furniture, as high as possible onto benches or tables, placing electrical items on top 
• If you are advised by an emergency services officer to evacuate, please do so  
• Securing outside belongings and before leaving; turn off the power, water and take essential medicines and clothes with you 
• Farmers should move machinery, livestock, pumps and fodder to flood free ground  

Crash Blocks One Lane Of Great North Road At Laguna

BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency services have been called to a single vehicle crash at Laguna.

A Rural Fire Service crew was called to Great North Road just before 5.00am on Tuesday to find a car on it's side blocking one lane.

It's understood no-one was injured in the crash.

Police and a tow truck are on the way.

Motorists are being advised to proceed with caution.

Young Boy Seriously Injured In Bike Crash At Awaba

BY IAN CROUCH

A 12-year-old boy has suffered suspected spinal injuries after a motocross accident at Awaba.

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to the Lakes Motocross track yesterday after the boy came off his bike.

He was airlifted to Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital in a stable condition.

Meanwhile, the Rescue Helicopter flew a 28-year-old motorcyclist to the John Hunter after he came off his bike on a bend at Laguna and broke his leg.