Man remanded over body in bin

A NOOSA man charged with murdering a Melbourne graphic artist more than 17 years ago has never been in custody before this case, a court has been told.

John Spencer White, 62, was arrested in Queensland on Thursday and charged with the murder of John Christianos, who went missing in Melbourne’s Oakleigh South in 2001.

The arrest came after the body of Mr Christianos, 40, was discovered in a wheelie bin by workers in Oakleigh South as they were cleaning out a storage unit on July 13.

Mr White faced a brief hearing in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court yesterday after he was extradited from the Sunshine Coast at the weekend.

“I note this is your first time in custody,” magistrate Julie Grainger said, before adjourning the case.

Charge sheets allege Mr White murdered Mr Christianos at East Malvern on or about June 9, 2001.

It also shows Mr White lived in Tewantin, a suburb of the holiday destination Noosa, when he was arrested.

Mr Christianos was last seen at his home in Bentleigh East before he disappeared.

An inquest in 2011 found he likely died on or after June 11, 2001, but the circumstances could not to be determined.

Mr White made no application for bail and was remanded in custody to face court on December 10.