Tascas charge: Murder suspect in court

Alex de Vos
A Whittington man appeared in the Geelong Magistrates Court yesterday accused of murdering 30-year-old Trevor Tascas
Homicide detectives arrested Lawrence Butler, 30, on Wednesday after a night of questioning.
Butler smiled at his mother and gave her a thumbs-up as he shuffled into court wearing a navy polar-fleece vest over a grey jumper.
He did not apply for bail.
Magistrate Rob Saines remanded Butler in custody until November 14 for a committal hearing.
Police alleged Mr Butler murdered Mr Tascas, also of Whittington, over a drug debt.
Homicide Squad Detective Senior Sergeant Ron Iddles said Mr Tascas’s mother reported him missing in January, 2007.
She told police had concerns about her son’s welfare after not hearing from him for more than a year.
Sen Sgt Iddles said investigations found that the last time Mr Tascas was seen alive was in August, 2005.
Mr Tascas had not accessed his bank account or used his mobile phone since the last time he was seen.
Police were also yet to find his maroon Holden Commodore Calais and pet Jack Russell dog.
Sen Sgt Iddles was reported earlier in the week as saying Mr Tascas had been using and trafficking heroin and amphetamines around the time of his disappearance.
Forensics experts investigated Mr Tascas’ last-known home, in Thatcher Court, Whittington, on Tuesday.