An elderly man in a wheelchair has been charged with murdering his wife, who disappeared more than 37 years ago.
The 77-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is charged with wilfully murdering Sharon Fulton on March 18, 1986.
The 39-year-old mother of four’s body has never been found despite extensive investigations by West Australian police.
Sharon Fulton vanished in 1986 – and her husband has now been charged with her murder
The 77-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is charged with wilfully murdering Sharon Fulton on March 18, 198
The man briefly appeared in Perth Magistrates Court via video link on Friday and was remanded in custody.
There was no application for bail and the matter was adjourned until November 22.
Detective Superintendent Darryl Cox told reporters the couple’s children, who were aged four to 15 when their mother disappeared, were distressed by the news.
‘The impact of her disappearance on those children has been horrific over the last 37 years,’ he said.
‘And now their father has been arrested, so it’s a very difficult time for the family.
Det Supt Cox said the investigation to find Ms Fulton’s body remains ongoing but detectives were not actively searching.
The man briefly appeared in Perth Magistrates Court via video link on Friday and was remanded in custody