Troy Jason Ruttley sentenced for Tamworth murder of missing mother Johann Morgan in 2015

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The man responsible for the 2015 murder of Tamworth mother Johann Morgan was sentenced to 24 years’ imprisonment in NSW Supreme Court in Tamworth this morning. 

Troy Jason Ruttley, who has been in custody since he was arrested by Tamworth detectives in Dubbo in December 2015, will be eligible for parole in 2033.

Outside court after the sentence was handed down, Ms Morgan’s family made an emotional address, stating they could not feel closure until her body has been found.

"We really just want her, that's all," her son Michael Morgan said.

"That's all we want, our mother, bring her home to us.

"(The sentence) is good enough, but all we wanted was our mother.

"I've got eight brothers and sisters to look after, no mother, no father.”

Ms Morgan’s sister Vivienne said the sentence provided some closure to her murder some two years ago.

"I just miss her so much," she said.

"To see her kids go without her.

"It's hard. Her kids is our life, you know, her grandkids, they're everything to us now.

"We just want to take her home and get her back.

"I'll have a lot of closure when I get her back.

"I ain't going to give up."

The family thanked the police involved in the case and their extended family for the ongoing support.

"I'd just like to thank the two detectives, they've done a lot for us," Vivienne  said.

Oxley police acting Superintendent Jeff Budd said the sentence was a "very welcomed outcome" for both the family of Ms Morgan and the police involved in the matter.

"It is significant the matter has been involved in part for the family and we know that there are still some unresolved issues, including where Johann might be,” he said.

"We don't discount the fact that someone may know where Johann is, so we're going to appeal to the public if anyone knows or has information on where Johann might be, we would greatly appreciate that information and that would finally give the family some absolute closure.

"I think the sentence is good.

"It's a good result for the family, and I'm sure they're very happy."

Police have vowed to continue searching for her body, urging anyone with information to come forward.

"We're not finished with that part of the investigation," acting Superintendent Budd said.

"We're certainly very, very committed to finding where Johann might be.

"Put yourself in the position of the family.

"To not know where a loved one is and to not know their whereabouts or their end result can only be increasing the grief of everyone.

"So if you have a heart and know something, come forward. It can be anonymously. 

"We really want to find Johann and give the family total closure."

EARLIER: TROY Jason Ruttley has been sentenced to 24 years’ imprisonment for the murder of Tamworth mother Johann Morgan.

Ruttley was handed the sentence of a non-parole period of 18 years in front of a full public gallery in the NSW Supreme Court in Tamworth this morning.

The family of Ruttley, who has maintained his innocence throughout the trial, yelled in support for the 45-year-old father and grandfather after the sentence was read, while he remained emotionless in the dock. 

It follows the 2015 murder of Ms Morgan, a much-loved mother and grandmother whose body has never been found, despite extensive police searches.

HOW IT UNFOLDED:

Troy Jason Ruttley to be sentenced for Tamworth murder of missing mother Johann Morgan in

Her family made an emotional address to media outside the court. 

Police have vowed to continue searching for Morgan’s body.

More to come.