Former vigilante Nicholas Cross has emerged as a suspect in the alleged murder of Waurn Ponds woman Maddison Parrott.
Police charged two men and one woman in relation to the 29-year-old’s death, after CFA crews found her remains in a tent fire at Geelong Showgrounds on Tuesday night.
Acting on information from Victoria Police, New South Wales Police’s homicide squad and tactical operations unit arrested the trio in a Greystanes residence about 3.45pm yesterday afternoon.
Police took them to Granville Police Station, where the Victorian warrants were executed.
Detectives charged a 31-year-old man of no fixed address with one count of murder, a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
A 31-year-old Bell Park woman and a 34-year-old man from Colac will face charges of accessory to murder after the fact, the spokesperson said.
“All three were presented directly to Fairfield Magistrates’ Court this morning for extradition applications.
“Homicide Squad detectives are in New South Wales as the investigation continues.”
Nicholas Cross was scheduled to appear in Fairfield Local Court at 9.30am this morning according to its daily listings.
A NSW Department of Justice spokesperson confirmed to the Indy this afternoon that Mr Cross appeared at Fairfield Local Court in relation to a Victorian arrest warrant.
Mr Cross was remanded in custody and extradited to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, the spokesperson said.
A family member revealed to the Indy yesterday that an assailant allegedly shot Ms Parrott before the trio allegedly moved her body to Geelong Showgrounds.
On Tuesday night CFA crews extinguished a tent blaze, after receiving an emergency call shortly before 2am, and found human remains.
Police were initially unable to determine the woman’s age or gender because the body was so badly burnt.
A former Belmont High Student, Ms Parrott had previously been a store manager at Platypus Shoes.
In 2016 Mr Cross led a controversial group of residents that conducted anti-crime patrols in northern Geelong.
Police urged any witness or anyone with information to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
