Body of alleged triple murderer Julian Ingram believed to have been found near Lake Cargelligo

Suspected triple-murderer Julian Ingram was on the run since the fatal shootings in late January. (Supplied: NSW Police)

NSW Police believe a body found in the state’s Central West is that of alleged triple murderer Julian Ingram.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains names and images of Indigenous people who have died used with permission from the family.

The 37-year-old former council gardener has been on the run since January 22, when three people, including his pregnant ex-partner Sophie Quinn, were fatally shot in Lake Cargelligo.

John Harris, 32, was shot dead while sitting in the car next to Ms Quinn.

It is alleged Mr Ingram then drove to Ms Quinn’s aunt, Nerida Quinn’s home, where he killed the 50-year-old.

Kaleb Macqueen, 19, who was at the home when Nerida Quinn was killed, survived after also being shot.

NSW Police were alerted to the discovery of a body near an abandoned ute in a nature reserve about 50 kilometres north-west of Lake Cargelligo at 3:40pm on Monday.

Sophie Quinn, John Harris and Nerida Quinn were killed during the shooting spree in Lake Cargelligo. (Supplied)

Body found next to ute

Western Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland, has confirmed the ute was the same vehicle the wanted man was seen driving from the scene.

“Next to this vehicle, police have also located a male body in a very decomposed state,” he said.

“Next to this body is a firearm and at this point believe the person laying next to the vehicle could be Julian Ingram, but he’s yet to be formally identified.

“We believe that the identification at the scene, the clothing that the deceased is wearing, would lead us to believe that it is him.”

Assistant Commissioner Holland said it was “unclear” whether police had previously searched the area as part of the massive manhunt for the alleged killer.

“The National Parks and Wildlife Service was carrying feral animal eradication in the area and they located the abandoned vehicle,” he said.

“Obviously, it’s a relief for those involved in the investigation and probably a bigger relief for the people of Lake Cargelligo, and the family involved.

“The families have been notified by police that it could be Mr Ingram.”

Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland said information from the public played an important role in the investigation. (ABC News: Hamish Cole)

‘Relief’ for local community

Assistant Commissioner Holland said there had been “hundreds of police” involved in the manhunt.

“Obviously, it’s a relief for them to find this body … but the main thing is it brings closure to this investigation, it brings closure to the people of Lake Cargelligo, and gives some solace to the town so they can relax.

“We had all intentions of bringing Julian Ingram before a court, if he’s taken the easy way out and committed suicide, that’s his choice.”

At the time of the alleged murders, Mr Ingram was facing domestic violence charges relating to Sophie Quinn, including common assault, damaging property and stalking and intimidation.

The search for the so-called bushman was conducted across a vast unforgiving landscape in the heat of summer.

Riot squad police officers searched on foot for signs of Julian Ingram near Euabalong.  (ABC Central West: Xanthe Gregory)

Police teams scoured rural properties in areas known to Mr Ingram, including Mount Hope, Euabalong and Kiacatoo, where temperatures soared to nearly 50 degrees Celsius at times.

They deployed aerial assets, including PolAir and drones, riot squad officers, the tactical operations unit and bomb disposal teams to try and find any sign of him.

There was only one confirmed sighting — just two days after the manhunt begun.

Two girls who were pig hunting on a family property in Mount Hope reported seeing Mr Ingram twice in one night.

The first time he was in a state of undress in the middle of a paddock and a few hours later he reportedly held up a gun at their car as they fled the area.

Police have been scouring remote properties in Lake Cargelligo and surrounds.  (ABC Central West: Xanthe Gregory)

Locals told stories of his bush skills and how he would spend weeks at a time camping in national parks surrounding Lake Cargelligo.

He worked on farms in the region and was said to have extensive knowledge of properties, which may have helped him to avoid apprehension for so long.

Riot police helped with the search for Julian Ingram on properties around Lake Cargelligo. (ABC Central West: Xanthe Gregory)