A YELLOW ute that is key to the suspected murder of a New England man has been found and seized by police.
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Strike Force Barca - the police operation set up to investigate the suspicious disappearance and murder of Darren Royce Willis - confirmed they had seized the early-model ute that they believe is linked to his death.
The 1980 model XD Ford cream/yellow utility - which was at the centre of a public appeal for help earlier this month - was seized and is being forensically combed for clues.
Police believe it could hold vital DNA clues to solving the murder. Investigators believe it was used in the killing of the 45-year-old before his body was dumped. His remains have never been found.
New England Detective Inspector Ann Joy said police "had made significant developments" in the cold case.
She said investigators "believe the vehicle is of significant forensic value" and it is continuing to undergo forensic examination.
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As a result of community help, detectives believe they have uncovered more information on Mr Willis', also known as “Spaz”, last movements in December 2010 in Bingara.
"During the same appeal, new information not previously known by police was obtained. This has assisted investigators to confirm Mr Willis' last movements," she said.
Previously, detectives believed he was last seen leaving a local Bingara hotel on the night of December 10, 2010, and had been investigating his movements over a seven-day period.
"The fresh information provided has allowed investigators to focus in on a particular day during that week," she confirmed on Thursday morning.
"We now expect to narrow down the movements of both Mr Willis, and those responsible for his murder, on that particular day."
Following on from the most recent appeal, Detective Inspector Joy said investigators are urging locals or anyone with information who might have come into contact with Mr Willis in his final days, to come forward.
"Detectives are urging any person that believes they had contact with Mr Willis in any way prior to his death to look through any physical records they may hold," she said.
"This may include diaries, accounts, or phone records that would assist with their recollections of dates."
Anyone with information is urged to contact Moree detectives on 6757 0799.
Mr Willis' body has never been found, but a breakthrough in the case in 2018 turned the long-term missing person report into a murder cold case – prompting a $350,000 reward for any information that leads police to his killers.
Already, detectives have identified “persons of interest”.
In late May, as part of the murder probe, specialist officers and divers combed the river and its banks in the Eaglehawk Reserve, or Four Mile area as its known to locals, on the outskirts of Bingara.