Mumbil residents expressed shock at the grim discovery of human remains in their own backyard this week.
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Locals told the Daily Liberal of their astonishment at the discovery that could solve a seven-year-old mystery, as police believe the remains are those of missing woman Lisa Ann Clymer.
A 40-year-old Mumbil man yesterday afternoon was charged with her murder following an arrest at Orange Base Hospital.
He will appear in Orange Local Court today.
The 25-year-old woman and mother-of-two was last seen in September 1999 at Bradbury.
Campbelltown Local Area Command (LAC) Superintendent Stuart Smith said police "strongly suspect" the remains belong to the woman.
"We believe the family will finally be able to close the book on the disappearance of Lisa Ann Clymer."
Ms Clymer's children, aged 19 months and four-years-old at the time of her disappearance have been told.
Supt Smith said the "estranged relationship" between Ms Clymer and the 40-year-old Mumbil man currently in police custody is also being investigated.
Investigations by Dubbo and Campbelltown detectives led to the discovery of the remains in a shed located in the backyard of a Mumbil residence.
Forensic services spent hours carefully examining the shed and surrounding property and were expected to work at the scene until late last night and possibly for a number of days.
It isn't clear what led detectives to link the remains and the disappearance of Ms Clymer with police attributing it to "certain evidence."
The discovery of human remains is not foreign to the township of Mumbil, this incident being the fifth homicide investigation in 10 years.
Local residents Ron Bell and Neil Carter were disturbed at the frightful discovery that occurred far too close to home.
Mr Carter, who has lived in the town for 23 years, said, "If I could sell my house tomorrow I'd be gone".
"I moved from Collaroy to get away from this kind of thing because I had a young family.
"You don't want this in your own back yard. But then again, where would I go? There are similar problems wherever you go."
He described Ms Clymer as a friendly woman.
"I just feel bad for the kids," Mr Bell said.
The discovery comes on the eve of a coronial inquest into the disappearance of the young mother.
The remains have been taken to Glebe Morgue for forensic investigation.
Dubbo and Campbelltown detectives continue to work together in piecing together the mystery with a number of people yet to be questioned.
EMILY.WHEELER@RURALPRESS.COM