Hunt for body steps up

TASMANIA Police believe they are close to charging two people being held over the suspected murder of Risdon Vale man Dwayne Robert Davies, as investigators step up the search for a body.

On Tuesday a 40-year-old man and 44-year-old woman were detained and questioned in relation to Mr Davies’ disappearance, after what began as a missing person search turned darker following a tip-off.

Speaking yesterday outside the Elderslie home belonging to one of the suspects, and which has become central to the in- vestigation, Detective Sergeant Nick Smith said items from the scene, biological and otherwise, were being analysed.

“We are well into the investigation and we have a very good idea what’s occurred,” Sgt Smith said.

“That’s the direction we are heading, and we are pretty positive of an outcome.”

Yesterday the rural erty remained taped off.

In the early afternoon, a uniformed officer could be seen bringing a metal detector on to the property.

Sgt Smith said although a body was yet to be found, police were confident they were dealing with a murder investigation. prop-

And he reissued a public appeal for any information about the movements of two cars on last Friday and Saturday: a white 2004 Nissan Navara and a silver 2009 Hyundai Tucson.

“We are looking at the movements of people involved ... and the cars are crucial to our investigation,” Detective Smith said. “We are very confident that Mr Davies has met with foul play. But I cannot comment as to motive, as that is a crucial part of the investigation.”

He said a search of Mr Davies’ house at Risdon Vale had ended.

officer brings a metal