Motive a mystery after woman's body found burned and dumped near road
A brother and sister have been accused of murdering a Victorian woman before dumping and burning her body.
Shaye Kotiau, 22, from Altona is accused of murdering Tamara Farrell, 31, then burning and dumping her body with the help of his 19-year-old sister Kaye.
It’s believed Ms Farrell was murdered in Ballarat and her body was found wrapped in a sheet 300 kilometres away near Sale.
Detectives believe the sheet had been taken from her home.
Ms Farrell and Mr Kotaiu had been lifelong friends and the motive is a mystery.
It’s the 22-year-old’s first time in custody and he has been charged with murder.
His sister faced La Trobe Valley Court on Wednesday.
She has been charged with being an accessory to murder and was released on bail.
Tributes for slain bus driver
Ms Farrell’s friend Melissa de Blasis said she was “fun and caring”.
“(She) would do anything for anyone,” she said. “(She was) very bright (and) vibrant.”
Ms Farrell was a bus driver for Ballarat Coachlines.
On its Facebook page the company described Ms Farrell “as an excellent employee who was always friendly and hardworking”.
“We are all in shock and grief as losing a valued colleague and friend,” the post read.
Victoria Police Superintendent Jenny Wilson said her death “highlights the issue of violence against women”.
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