The former husband of Roxlyn Bowie has been charged with her murder, almost four decades after the mother disappeared from their northern New South Wales home.
Ms Bowie was 31 years old when she was last seen at her Walgett home on June 5, 1982. Her body has never been found.
John Bowie, 69, was charged with murder on Saturday afternoon hours after arriving in Sydney from Queensland, where he had been held at Woodford Correctional Centre.
As the 69-year-old was escorted through Sydney Airport by detectives, he told reporters he hadn't killed his former wife.
"I don't even know if she's dead or not," Bowie said.
He'll spend the night in custody before appearing at Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday.
A coroner in 2014 determined Ms Bowie was probably killed the day she disappeared or not long after but was unable to determine the cause of death.
NSW Police Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty on Saturday admitted the police case against Bowie was circumstantial.
"It's happened before, we know the road ahead will be challenging. We have to build a case," Det Supt Doherty told reporters on Saturday.
"But we'll have our day in court and hopefully get some justice."
Det Supt Doherty said personal items uncovered during a 2018 forensic search for Ms Bowie near a Walgett home would play a role in the prosecution.
A separate search in March found a silver ring with the letter "R" and black and gold packaging for a Swann-Morton surgical blade.
"Along the way, when you do these renewed cold case matters, you do review all the forensic evidence available with all the latest technology. There is some forensic evidence," Det Supt Doherty said.
Ms Bowie's daughter Brenda Boyd admitted the news was "very bittersweet".
"There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about Mum and how kind, caring and loving she was," Ms Boyd said on Friday.
"She was a devoted mother - my brother and I never doubted how loved we were. She, too, was so loved by those who were lucky to meet her."
The NSW government in 2018 announced a $1 million reward for anyone who could help find Ms Bowie.
Det Supt Doherty said that reward still stands.
