UPDATE 10.45am, Tuesday: Ronald Lyons, 44, has appeared in the Swan Hill Magistrates’ Court charged with the murder of Samantha Kelly.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Lyons appeared in custody, did not apply for bail and will re-appear in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on November 9.
His charge was upgraded to murder on Monday, after he had previously been charged with being an accessory to murder.
Lyons appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court earlier this month and left the court on bail, speaking with the media in front of court. He was interviewed by police on the weekend and had his charge upgraded.
Co-accused Christine Lyons, 45, was also charged with Ms Kelly’s murder after initially being charged with being an accessory to murder. She will appear at a committal hearing in Bendigo on January 9.
Peter James Arthur, 44, was the first of the three housemates to be charged with the alleged murder. Mr Arthur and Ms Lyons have remained in custody since Ms Kelly’s body was found in bushland in Shelbourne on February 12.
EARLIER, Monday: A third housemate has been charged with the murder of Kangaroo Flat woman Samantha Kelly.
Ronald Lyons, 44, had his charge upgraded on Monday from accessory to murder to one count of murder.
Ms Kelly’s body was found in bushland at Shelbourne, about 20km south-west of Bendigo, on February 11.
The 39-year-old was reported missing several weeks earlier.
Fellow housemates Peter James Arthur, 44, and Christine Ann Lyons, 45, have previously been charged with Ms Kelly’s murder.
In the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court in March, Ronald Lyons was granted bail to an address in Swan Hill.
Victoria Police confirmed on Monday evening that a further interview was conducted and Lyons’ charge upgraded to murder.
He is due to appear in Swan Hill Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.