'Killer' charged after missing teen found dead in mine shaft
A man has been charged with the murder of Melbourne teenager Cayleb Hough, whose body was found in a mine shaft in March after disappearing before Christmas.
A 28-year-old Kawarren man was charged on Saturday with murdering the 17-year-old and faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday.
In April, investigators revealed that 17-year-old Cayleb Hough's remains were found in a shallow mineshaft near Seerey Track at the Lerderderg State Park in Bacchus Marsh on March 10, four months after he was reported missing in December.
Mr Hough was murdered, police have said. Source: Supplied
A police investigator holds a piece a fabric alongside SES workers during the search for clues into the suspected murder of Cayleb Hough. Source: AAP
"I can say quite categorically that Cayleb Hough was murdered," Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Rhodes told reporters on Tuesday.
A post-mortem examination has been conducted but police declined to comment on the cause of death, or if a weapon was used.
ES workers during the search for clues into the suspected murder of Cayleb Hough near Bacchus Marsh west of Melbourne. Source: AAP
The Chelsea Heights teenager was last seen on December 20 travelling in a car with a man.
Police found the car in the car park of a Melbourne entertainment complex in mid-January and have interviewed its owner.
The mine shaft where the body a suspected murder victim Cayleb Hough was found near Bacchus Marsh. Source: AAP
Cayleb's body was found on March 10 by a university student who was walking in the park.
"The body took some time to identity because of the way the body was and the DNA process," Det Sen Sgt Rhodes said.
Police are appealing to the public to come forward if they saw anything strange in and around the park between December and March.
Police supplied images of Cayleb's clothing. Source: Supplied
Police do not believe the teen was been mixed up with drugs, or the wrong crowd.
"We have no idea why that would have occurred," Det Snr Sgt Rhodes said.
The blue 2003 Ford Falcon XR6 sedan and number of plate, which belong to Cayleb. Source: Supplied
"He was just a young 17-year-old kid who had just left home and was looking for work. There was nothing untoward at all."
The teen was known to police before he disappeared.
News break – May 29
