Gold Coast businessman charged with the death of the 34-year-old mother of two, who was last seen in February 2013

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Gold Coast businessman John Chardon has been charged over the murder of his wife, Novy, more than three years after her disappearance.

Chardon, 68, arrived at Brisbane’s police watchhouse in an unmarked government vehicle on Friday morning and was charged with the 34-year-old’s murder. He was due in Brisbane magistrates court later on Friday.

Indonesia-born Novy, 34, was last seen at a Coomera service station in February 2013 and her car was found abandoned at a Nerang train station a few days later.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Novy Chardon, who was last seen on 6 February 2013 at a Coomera service station. Photograph: Queensland Police

Despite extensive searches and a $250,000 reward for information, her body has not been found.

Chardon has been interviewed several times by police over his wife’s disappearance but has denied any involvement in her apparent murder.

The two were married for 11 years but their relationship had broken down by the time of her disappearance and they were preparing for a divorce.

Two days after Novy’s disappearance, Chardon flew to Indonesia with their children, then aged nine and seven, on what he said was a pre-arranged business trip.

In media interviews days after she vanished, he claimed Novy had “done this sort of thing before” and appealed for her to “get your stupid bloody arse home”.

Police said Gold Coast detectives and officers from the state crime command homicide investigation squad had been relentlessly pursuing justice for Novy since she went missing.

“Today we see the culmination of the hard work done by all officers involved in this investigation,” Det Supt Dave Hutchinson said.

“There have been thousands of hours spent by investigators, intelligence officers and forensic specialists to try and bring closure to Mrs Chardon’s loved ones with the charging of a man today.”

Hutchinson said he was hopeful Chardon’s body would still be found. “We’re still of the view that people have information about what happened on, or around, February 6, 2013,” he said.

“This is a good moment for police. It’s been three years and four months ... a relentless task. We’ve had people attached to the investigation the whole time.

“It’s good to get it to this stage but this is not the end.”

Outside court, Chardon’s lawyer Craig Newport said his client was holding up well.

Asked if Chardon was surprised by the accusations, Newport said: “No, and he’ll be defending those charges.”

The matter was set to return to court for a committal mention on 29 August.

Timeline of Novy Chardon disappearance

FEBRUARY 2013

6 – Novy, 34, last seen at a Coomera service station.

8 – Husband John flies to Indonesia with the couple’s two young children.

12 – Novy’s 4WD is found abandoned at a Nerang train station, 20km from her home.

15 – Police search bushland and the Nerang river, admitting grave concerns for Novy’s safety.

20 – Chardon’s business is searched.

25 – Detectives quiz Chardon after he returns to Australia, but he is released without charge.

MARCH 2014

4 – Police excavate a driveway at a Mt Nathan property in the Gold Coast hinterland, looking for parts of a car.

6 – Parts of a white ute are found, the same vehicle seen near Novy’s 4WD.

13 – Police offer a $240,000 reward for information which could lead to a conviction.

JANUARY 2015

28 – Investigators search a hinterland property in Advancetown but leave empty-handed.

JUNE 2016

17 – Chardon arrested over Novy’s murder.