This photo shows two people in happier times, a long way removed from the present day where they are currently charged with allegedly murdering a butcher.
Bruce Saunders, 54, died when he was allegedly fed through an industrial woodchipper at a property near Gympie, in Queensland’s east, on November 12 last year.
Mr Saunders’ former lover Sharon Graham, 57, was on Tuesday charged with the alleged murder of Mr Saunders, and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Greg Lee Roser, 59, and Peter John Koenig, 61, who were working with Mr Saunders on the day he died, were charged with the same offences and remanded in custody.
Police will allege that Ms Graham, who has been romantically linked to all three men, ‘counselled’ Roser and Koenig on how to commit the horrific crime, The Courier Mail reports.
This is a photo of Sharon Graham and Greg Roster who were both arrested and charged with the alleged murder of a Queensland butcher who was allegedly shredded alive in woodchipper
In the months leading up to Mr Saunders’ alleged murder, photos of Ms Graham and Mr Roser together were regularly posted by the pair to social media.
One photo shared by Mr Roser on April 11 last year, just seven months before Mr Saunders’ death, showed them gazing into each other’s eyes.
Ms Graham and Mr Saunders had previously dated, and she was reportedly still living at the victim’s home until her arrest on Tuesday.
In the months after the alleged murder, Ms Graham and Mr Roser continued to be upfront on social media.
On his Facebook page, Mr Roser said he was ‘trying to deal with life the best way I can’.
While Ms Graham was less direct about herself, she made a statement by saying: ‘those who hesitate have lost’.
Mr Saunders’ former lover Sharon Graham, 57, (pictured) was on Tuesday charged with the alleged murder of Mr Saunders, and attempting to pervert the course of justice
Ms Graham (pictured) appears less direct in her ‘introduction’, saying ‘those who hesitate have lost’
Ms Graham, Mr Roser and Peter Koenig all fronted Maroochydore Magistrates Court separately on Tuesday to face their charges.
Police will allege the three co-defendants were known associates and ‘conspired together to commit this offence’.
They will also reportedly allege Ms Graham masterminded the alleged killing, despite the initial claims that it was a tragic accident.
The trio also attended Mr Saunders’ funeral, where a tearful Ms Graham was comforted by the victim’s son.
Bruce Saunders, 54, (pictured) died when he was allegedly put through an industrial woodchipper at a Goomboorian property in November
Two people have been arrested over the gruesome death of a man whose body was allegedly fed through a woodchipper – police officers are seen taking one of the men into custody this week
Alleged victim Bruce Saunders is pictured with a former love interest, Sharon Graham
When police were called to the property on November 12, they described the scene as ‘horrific’.
Gympie Police acting inspector Paul Algie said at the time it was ‘one of the worst incident scenes I’ve ever seen’.
‘It was actually quite horrific. His friends discovered him as he became entangled and attempted to extract him from the shredder and were unable to do so.
‘They’re obviously quite traumatised now.’
The death was originally treated as an accident, but police opened a murder investigation when new details came to light.
Peter Koenig (left), Greg Roser (centre) have been arrested over the death of Mr Saunders (Mr Saunders’ former love interest Sharon Graham is pictured right)
Mr Saunders was working on a property on Tanana Road clearing vegetation with the two men when he died
The three workers were lending a hand to a recently widowed woman who lived at the Gympie property.
When officers returned to the homestead to investigate, they allegedly discovered fragments of human remains.
They also allegedly discovered clothing and parts of a mobile phone they believe also went through the machine.
Detectives are investigating several possible motives including a love triangle gone wrong, Gympie Times reported.
Gympie Police acting inspector Paul Algie said at the time it was ‘one of the worst incident scenes I’ve ever seen’ (victim Bruce Saunders left and right)
Detectives are seen at the Gympie property, where they allegedly discovered human remains
Mr Saunders owned and operated a family butcher shop in Bundaberg, north of Gympie, before moving to Nambour in 2016.
He reportedly moved from Bundaberg after the break down of a relationship, before starting another relationship in Nambour.
Mr Saunders’ friends and family were left devastated by the suspected murder of a man they said was always willing to help others.
Police officers have arrested two people over the alleged murder of the Queensland man
When officers returned to the Gympie property to investigate, they allegedly found fragments of the human body and bloody clothes (pictured is the local area)
Maryborough Detective Inspector Gary Pettiford said on Tuesday Mr Saunders’ family was devastated but relieved after murder charges were laid.
‘The family is very relieved. They’ve been excellent throughout the whole process. They’ve been patient and very trusting of the police to do our job,’ he said.
‘They have been briefed and are very thankful.’
Det Insp Pettiford said the family was dealing well with a very difficult situation.
‘They’re obviously very upset today but obviously very thankful that this stage of the operation is complete,’ he said.