The family of Richard Wills, who was discovered buried in a shallow grave on his property during Easter, has reported that he had recently experienced thefts of sheep from his farm. Authorities indicate that there are indications Mr. Wills, aged 65, was dragged behind a vehicle on the day of his death.
A fundraising initiative has been established to assist the farming family from Ouyen. Despite the circumstances surrounding his tragic death, the Wills family does not believe that Richard “Rick” Wills was targeted by an organized group of livestock thieves. On Easter Sunday, Mr. Wills bid farewell to his wife at 8 AM before heading to his farm in northwestern Victoria.
His daughter, Kayla Phillips, mentioned that her father had previously reported missing sheep to the police and had been a victim of livestock theft over several years. Yet, her husband, Ben Phillips, expressed skepticism about any involvement of a wider criminal organization. He emphasized that the circulating rumors regarding a so-called “merino mafia” are unfounded and have been distressing for the family during this challenging time. “The connection to sheep theft has been particularly frustrating for me,” he stated.
Ms. Phillips remarked that both the family and the Ouyen community are still grappling with the shock of Mr. Wills’s death. “It’s a tight-knit farming community where everyone knows each other,” she explained. “Such incidents are simply unheard of in Ouyen.” She also noted that her mother, Donna Wills, who had previously lost a daughter to epilepsy a decade ago, is feeling “overwhelmed and heartbroken.” Donna Wills had previously described her husband of 32 years as a “kind-hearted” individual and a “workaholic” who was always willing to lend a hand to others.
The couple raised five children and had spent their entire lives in the small farming community located about 100 kilometers south of Mildura. Mr. Wills was last seen leaving his home on Hughes Street in Ouyen at around 8 AM on Easter Sunday to work on his 650-hectare farm along the Mallee Highway. When he failed to return for lunch, family members went to the farm and reported him missing the following day.
Authorities discovered his phone and utility vehicle on the premises before locating his body in a shallow grave at approximately 1:30 PM on April 7. Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Trewavas from the Missing Persons Squad indicated that there were signs suggesting Mr. Wills had been dragged behind a vehicle before being fatally shot. He speculated that the perpetrator was someone familiar with Mr. Wills, and it appeared that he had fallen victim to “foul play.”
On Saturday, Victoria Police reached out to the public for any information that could assist in the investigation; however, no arrests have yet been made. Meanwhile, support for the Wills family continues to grow, with a fundraising campaign established in Richard Wills’s memory, raising over $9,240 towards a goal of $10,000. The campaign’s description stated that the funds would provide assistance to a “wonderful family facing a difficult period of tragic and abrupt loss.” Ms. Phillips expressed her family’s gratitude for the outpouring of love, support, and offers of help during this trying time.
