FAKE WIFE TWIST

Police claim woman stood in to help murder accused secure loan

A TOWNSVILLE man accused of murdering his wife allegedly paid another woman to pose as her in the months before her death so he could take out an $ 86,000 business loan.

Michael Geoffrey Hutchinson allegedly paid the woman $ 2000 to co- sign a business loan application on July 10, 2014. The loan was for Mr Hutchinson’s security business and also involved taking a second mortgage on the family home.

It is understood his wife, Julie Hutchinson, was opposed to her husband going into business alone. She vanished without a trace on April 9.

Mr Hutchinson has been charged with her murder. The new fraud charge was mentioned in Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday.

The incident allegedly happened nine months before Mrs Hutchinson’s death and Mr Hutchinson is now facing a charge of fraud for dishonestly obtaining property from another with a value over $ 30,000.

The matters were adjourned until September 2.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Mick Harms said a brief of evidence was still being prepared.

“It’s a fairly complex investiga- tion,” he said. “There are a number of exhibits to get through.”

Police will also be asking for $ 101,000 in compensation to pay back the finance company. The amount includes the original loan amount plus interest.

Mrs Hutchinson ( pictured) was reported missing on April 9, 2015, after her family had not seen her since March when they visited the Condon home she shared with her husband.

Two days later, Mr Hutchinson was taken into custody for questioning before being charged on April 13.

Soldiers were enlisted to join the search for Mrs Hutchinson’s body last month but her remains still have not been found.

Large parts of the investigation were based around the movements of Mrs Hutchinson’s car, a silver 2004 Mazda 6 with Queensland registration 622-HZE.

The Hutchinson’s Chelsea Drive home was also forensically examined and a Mount Louisa park was searched by police.

A Facebook page was set up in honour of Mrs Hutchinson titled “Our Jules” and features dozens of posts and photos of the Queensland Nickel scientist.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.