UPDATE, FRIDAY 10.30AM: A Mount Clear woman has faced the Ballarat Magistrates' Court charged with murdering mother-of-four Kobie Parfitt.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Renee Bridget Reynolds, 31, was arrested on Thursday and is the fourth person to be charged with Ms Parfitt's murder.
She appeared at court via a video link to the police cells for the brief filing hearing on Friday morning.
Defence lawyer Robert West said he had not had time to take instructions from Reynolds.
IN OTHER NEWS
Reynolds, who wore a black hoodie jumper and had mascara smudged around her eyes, spoke to the magistrate to confirm her identity and when asked if she was seeking bail.
The court was told a hand-up brief would be served on her defence counsel on March 24.
Reynolds did not make an application for bail and she was remanded in custody until a committal mention with her co-accused on May 6.
She joins Brendan Prestage, 31, Shannon Jeffrey, 32, and Jacob Ford, 35, already charged with murder.
EARLIER, THURSDAY NIGHT: A 31-year-old Mount Clear woman is the latest to have been charged with murdering Ballarat mother-of-four Kobie Parfitt.
The woman, who was charged with one count of murder, will appear in Ballarat Magistrates' court on Friday after Missing Person Squad detectives arrested her on Thursday.
It follows three other people who have been charged with murder in relation to the death of Kobie, who was last seen alive on April 28, 2020 in Hickman Street, Ballarat Central.
Police said late on Thursday the investigation remained ongoing but were "not looking for any other persons in relation to this matter".
Wendouree man Brendan Prestage, 31, was charged with murder on December 30, 2020 - eight days after police located human remains down a mineshaft in Snake Valley.
Shannon Jeffreys, 32, was charged with murder last month and is at a correctional facility.
Elaine's Jacob Ford, 35, was charged with murder last Friday after being questioned in custody. He fronted court via video link from prison on Monday for a filing hearing. He did not make an application for bail and was remanded in custody.
Prestage, Jeffreys and Ford will return to court in May.
Investigators are urging anyone with any information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.
