Man jailed 20 years for brutal murder and burning victim's body

Eric James Forrest has been jailed for at least 20 years after murdering David Collisson in a violent attack. The 53-year-old victim's family described their devastating loss as they struggled to come to terms with the crime. The sentencing took place on March 27, 2026, following a trial that revealed shocking details about the killing. Forrest shot Collisson while the two men stood on a hill near Mudgee. The victim fell to the ground, but Forrest ignored his pleas for mercy and fired again as Collisson tried to escape. After the shooting, Forrest dragged the body into a hollow tree stump and set it alight.

The fire destroyed Collisson's remains so completely that his family could not hold a burial. Investigators confirmed that no recognisable bones survived the blaze. Though Forrest's anger toward Collisson was known, the exact motive for the murder remains unclear. Justice Dina Yehia handed down a 30-year sentence, with a minimum term of 20 years before parole. Forrest will be 53—the same age as Collisson at the time of his death—when he becomes eligible for release. The judge's decision followed emotional statements from Collisson's relatives, including his son, who spoke of his deep grief and lasting fear after losing his father so brutally.

The murder has left Collisson's family without closure, unable even to bury his remains. Forrest's conviction ensures he will spend decades in prison, but the impact on those left behind remains profound. The case closed with no public or community reaction recorded, leaving only the court's verdict and the family's enduring pain.