A 48-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Jana Armstrong who went missing last week.
Jana Armstrong was last seen on Tuesday, July 7, at her home in Newtown in regional Queensland.
Police have since found human remains in bushland near Ravensbourne National Park which they believe belong to 30-year-old Armstrong.
The discovery brings a heartbreaking end for her family, friends, colleagues and community members who spent days searching for her.
She had only recently given birth with her son just four months’ old.
Armstrong’s ex-partner and father of their child Dharminder Singh was arrested by police on Sunday morning at a home in Harristown.
Singh will face the Toowoomba Magistrates Court today.
Police will allege he murdered her on Tuesday night and then used her car to move her body to bushland.
Queensland Police continue to appeal for the public to provide information they may have including relevant CCTV or dashcam footage.
Investigators are particularly interested in dashcam or CCTV vision between Toowoomba and Esk, along Esk Hampton Road and the New England Highway, between 10.30pm on July 7 and 1.30am on July 8.
Loved ones left devastated
Armstrong’s sister Faith Isaacs has spoken with ABC News, expressing devastation and relief that the body was found.
“She just needs to be at rest next to Mum and Dad,” Isaacs told ABC News.
“I know she will be looking after my baby girl [recently passed away] and I am looking after her baby boy.
“She was just so loved. She was just the most caring, calm and loving person. She just put everyone first.
“I have no idea how to move forward but I’ve just got to stay strong for her baby and my son too.”
In a post on social media, Australian Femicide Watch founder Sherele Moody said it was a harrowing discovery.
“For days, we held our collective breath believing and hoping 30-year-old Jana Armstrong would return home to her tiny baby boy,” Moody wrote.
“Jana is the 37th Australian woman killed this year.
“Last year we lost 79 women to violence – the year before 106 women were killed.
“From July 4 to July 7 – three days – there were four femicides.
“Along with Jana, we lost 13-year-old Layla Jeffery on July 4, a 17-year-old unnamed girl on July 6 and 39-year-old mum-of-two Lavanya Chappa on July 7.
“All killed (allegedly) by males known to them.
“It’s been heartbreaking watching Jana’s sister Faith post daily about the search for this much-loved precious woman.
“Her relentless search for Jana and for the truth has landed in the one place we did not want her to land.
“This morning she wrote on social media: ‘I promise you, Jana, your beautiful baby boy will always know exactly who his mummy was, how deeply you loved him and just how incredibly special you were. I will speak your name, share your stories and keep your memory alive for him every single day.’”
Fundraiser to support the Armstrong family
A fundraiser set up to support the search for Armstrong has been updated with money raised to go towards her baby, Isaac who will be the full-time guardian and funeral costs.
“It is with broken hearts that we share police have advised human remains have been located and investigators believe they are those of our beautiful cousin Jana,” Armstrong’s cousins Lara and Hannah write.
“Our family is absolutely devastated and trying to process this unimaginable loss. We cannot thank everyone enough for the love, messages, donations, shares and support you have shown Faith, Michael, Jana’s beautiful baby boy, and wider family.
“We will make sure Jana’s baby boy always knows just how deeply his mummy loved him and how incredibly special she was. Her memory will live on through him forever.
“Thank you for continuing to surround this family with so much love.”