Julian Ingram's court proceedings halted as search for accused triple murderer continues

Criminal proceedings against alleged triple murderer Julian Ingram have ground to a halt as a five-and-a-half-week-long search for the 37-year-old continues. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains names and images of Indigenous people who have died.

Mr Ingram is accused of fatally shooting his heavily pregnant ex-partner Sophie Quinn, her aunt Nerida Quinn and John Harris in Lake Cargelligo on January 22. 

At the time of the alleged murders, Mr Ingram was out on bail following multiple domestic violence charges relating to Sophie Quinn, as well as a menacing driving charge from 2024. 

The domestic violence charges related to alleged conduct in late November 2025.

Court documents revealed safety concerns were raised before Mr Ingram's release from custody, but bail was ultimately granted as the accused's "last incident of violence was in 2021" and he had "nil history of breaches of bail".

During a mention of the matters in Lake Cargelligo Local Court today, Magistrate Michael Maher issued arrest warrants relating to the four offences, including common assault, stalk and intimidate intend fear, physical harm and destroy or damage property. 

Police had previously been issued a warrant for Mr Ingram's arrest in relation to the alleged murders.

Mr Ingram, also known as Julian Pierpoint, was seen leaving the Central West NSW town in a white ute shortly after the shootings. 

When Mr Ingram's matter was mentioned today, Magistrate Maher asked the court officer to go outside and check that he was not in attendance.

The court officer shouted his name three times from the steps of the building, which could be heard from inside the courtroom. 

The matter has not been relisted in court and will only return if he is apprehended by police.

An Apprehended Violence Order application made by Sophie Quinn against Mr Ingram was withdrawn by the prosecution.

Magistrate Maher accepted that "on the basis the person of protection is deceased".

Proceedings in the tiny regional court were delayed by more than 30 minutes this morning.

It was the first time the court, which sits once a month, had been in session since the alleged murders. 

Matters that were supposed to be heard in Lake Cargelligo on February 2 were moved to Parkes Local Court due to safety concerns and the ongoing search. 

Search continues

In a statement, a spokesperson for New South Wales Police said there had been no confirmed sightings of the 37-year-old since he was reportedly seen near Mount Hope, almost 100 kilometres north of Lake Cargelligo. 

"Over the past five-and-a-half weeks, unconfirmed sightings have been reported in the local and surrounding areas, including the Riverina, Central West, Sydney and interstate," the spokesperson said. 

"These reports have been investigated without being able to be positively linked to Ingram and the focus of the search remains around Lake Cargelligo and its surrounds." 

The spokesperson said the number of reports from the public had now "tapered", but locating Mr Ingram remained a priority. 

Victoria Police have ruled out a reported sighting in Mildura on February 24.

The Mildura Police Service said "it conducted extensive enquiries and was able to verify that the sighting in the border city … was not Julian Ingram".

NSW Police said a critical incident investigation would examine the actions of officers in the lead-up to the shooting.

Western Regional Commander Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland previously said the investigation would look at the relationship between Sophie Quinn and Mr Ingram, his access to firearms and the officer's decision to grant bail.

The investigation is being carried out by the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad.

It will be the subject of an independent review by the Professional Standards Command with oversight by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.