Woman charged with murder after man’s body found on Riverina highway

A WOMAN has been charged with the domestic violence-related murder of a Queensland man whose body was found on the side of a Riverina highway earlier this year.

Police allege Lisa Anne Silson, 40, murdered 44-year-old Mark Akers, whose body was discovered on the Newell Highway about 11km south of Jerilderie on June 17.

Mr Akers had suffered critical injuries, which police allege were the result of being struck by a car.

The body of 44-year-old Mark Akers was found on the side of the Newell Highway, about 11km south of Jerilderie on June 17 | Image: Supplied/NSW Police

NSW Police say Mr Akers’ body was found two days after he left Brisbane for a road trip to Melbourne.

Detectives allege he was travelling with Ms Silson at the time and was last seen alive about 2.30am on Sunday, June 16, at a service station on Southey Street, Jerilderie.

The Newell Highway, about 11 kilometres south of Jerilderie | Photo: Google Maps

Strike Force Zaventem was established to investigate Mr Akers death.

Following inquiries, an arrest warrant for Ms Silson was issued in Deniliquin Local Court on July 21.

She was arrested by Victorian Police that day at a home in Hampton Park, in Melbourne’s south-east, and remained in custody in Victoria while NSW authorities sought her extradition.

Lisa Anne Silson, 40, was extradited from Victoria to New South Wales on Friday, October 10 | Photo: NSW Police

As Mr Akers was farewelled in Burpengary, north of Brisbane, on July 31, Ms Silson contested the extradition and filed an urgent Charter of Human Rights application in the Victorian Supreme Court, claiming risks to her life or health.

After extensive legal argument, NSW Police re-applied for the extradition order, which was granted by the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, October 9.

Detectives from Murray River Police District then transported Ms Silson to Deniliquin Police Station, where she was formally charged with domestic violence-related murder.

She appeared before a NSW bail court on Friday, October 10; no application for bail was made and it was formally refused.

Ms Silson will remain in custody ahead of her next appearance in Albury Local Court in December.