Wife breaks down after kind-hearted husband killed in ‘vicious’ shooting in rural Victoria

The wife of a Victorian man shot dead in a ‘brutal’ attack struggles to come to terms with who wants her husband dead.

Donna Wills last saw her husband Richard Wills, 65, when he left their home on Hughs Street in Ouyen at around 8am on Easter Sunday as part of his usual routine.

Police were told he left to work at his Mallee Highway property.

“He just kissed me goodbye, and I imagined seeing him around lunchtime,” Donna said.

Suspicions arose and his relatives began searching the property after he failed to return home for lunch.

His wife reported him missing the next day after he still had not returned, initially thinking he was with a friend.

Police began searching the property and Wills’ body was found at around 1.30pm on April 7.

He had been fatally shot, dragged behind a vehicle and then buried in a shallow grave.

Donna broke down as she described her husband of 32 years.

“Five children, many grandchildren who will miss him,” she said.

“If he needed a band, he helped them. When he needed fuel, he helped them. He was someone who helped everyone. Kind-hearted, I’ll give you everything.’

Police were shocked by the brutality of the shooting.

“This is a brutal murder,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Trewavas of the Missing Persons Team.

“What is still unclear is who exactly was involved, and why,” he added, although police believe he was killed by someone he knew.

“We hope this call will lead to someone coming forward and doing the right thing. It can be done anonymously so we can hold those responsible to account.”

The police are calling on anyone with information to come forward

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