WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this story contains the image and name of a deceased Indigenous person.
Family members have spoken out after the suspected remains of Julian Ingram were found in a heavily decomposing state, four months after allegedly murdering three people in the NSW’s Central West.
Workers from the National Parks and Wildlife found the body next to a white Ford Ranger believed to belong to Ingram after he fled Lake Cargelligo on January 22, 2026.
While police are yet to formally identify the remains, they believe they are that of the suspected murderer, alleged of fatally shooting three people, including his ex-partner Sophie Quinn, 25.
The bodies of Ms Quinn and her friend John Harris, 32, were found fatally shot inside a vehicle.
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Ms Quinn was pregnant at the time of her death.
A short time later, reports emerged of shots being fired on Walker St, where police found the body of Ms Quinn’s aunt Nerida Quinn, 50 and Kaleb Macqueen, 19 – the sole survivor of the attack.
‘Gutless’: Family speaks after manhunt ends
Speaking to ABC, Ms Quinn’s relative said the death of Ingram didn’t bring justice.
“It doesn’t bring them back,” they said.
“Justice doesn’t coincide with stolen lives.”
Sophie’s mother, Cathy, told 9News the alleged murderer was “gutless”.
Her sister Tegan said “it was about time (police) found him”.
“We can grieve but now it feels so real and it’s only hit me now,” she said.
Questions raised about Ingram’s bail
Julian Ingram was out on bail for domestic violence at the time of the alleged murders
As police determine the identity of the body and cause of death, questions have been raised about why Ingram was allowed out on bail.
Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland told Sunrise “considerations” are made before someone is allowed out on bail.
“Obviously, with domestic violence offences there are considerations in relation to the safety of victims and the concerns around them, and the ability of the police to control that person’s actions around the street,” he said.
“In this instance, Ingram’s release caused untold damage to a community and a number of families, and the concern around that has obviously been investigated as part of the critical incident investigation.”
He said police would consider making changes to the bail process.
“Police are looking at different ways and how we can amend the bail considerations,” he said.
“Obviously, that will come out as part of the criminal investigation.
“The changes will be obviously conducted as part of the review while the domestic family violence team, and we’ll obviously go from there.”
Small town living in ‘anxiety’
A manhunt for 37-year-old Ingram began after three people were fatally shot in Lake Cargelligo.
The NSW town, which is home to about 1500 people, was plunged into lockdown following the fatal shootings, with shops forced to temporarily shut their doors.
Lachlan Shire mayor John Medcaff said the town had been living in fear for four months while the hunt for Ingram unfolded.
“This has been going on for four months at least and people have been very anxious at not having any hint of where (he is) or closure at all, worried that he could come back,” he told ABC.
“You never expect this to happen in that community, but it’s just something that they’ve got to deal with and hopefully we can help them with this news.”
He said if the remains are confirmed to belong to Ingram, the victims’ family may not come closer to justice, but will have some closure.
“In one way, they won’t get any more detail because he’s not with us,” he said.
“But I think the word is closure and that’s the main thing we should look at.”
Body of suspected triple murderer found in ‘very decomposed’ state
Mr Holland confirmed the white Ford Ranger located next to the body was the one police believe Ingram was using.
“Next to this vehicle, police have also located a male body in a very decomposed state,” Mr Holland told reporters on Monday.
Mr Holland said there had been no confirmed sightings of the suspected murderer since he fled Lake Cargelligo in January.
“Obviously, it’s a relief of those involved in the investigation, and probably a big relief for the people of Lake Cargelligo and the family involved,” he said.
“The body’s yet to be formally identified, but we believe with the identification (a driver’s licence) at the scene that we’ve located and the clothing that the deceased is wearing, would lead us to believe that it is him.”
Mr Holland is now working to determine how Ingram died.
