Julie Anne Cooper was found in a bush grave.
Camera IconJulie Anne Cooper was found in a bush grave. Credit: Supplied/Rachel Fenner

Man (31) appears in court charged with murder of Julie Anne Cooper (55)

AAPEastern Reporter

A 31-year-old man has appeared in Perth Magistrates Court charged with murdering a woman whose body was found in a bush grave.

Julie Anne Cooper, 55, last spoke to family on August 17 when she advised she would be out of contact for two weeks.

Police uncovered the body of the Doubleview woman in Ashendon on Thursday.

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Mathew Mark Hemsley, 31, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday charged with Ms Cooper’s murder but was not required to enter a plea.

He was remanded in custody to appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on September 26.

Police said on Thursday they were searching for Ms Cooper’s silver 2006 Toyota Camry sedan, which had registration plates 1CGT 526, but different plates might now be fitted to the vehicle.

“We believe that those plates have been changed,” Detective Senior Sergeant Manus Walsh said.

“Her car, we believe, was in the possession of someone else who has been possibly involved in what may have been a lawful transaction.

“There’s been an exchange that has led to that vehicle going to someone else.”

He said the person might not know they have Ms Cooper’s vehicle.