Human remains found in a disused mine shaft are believed to belong to missing Melbourne mum Simone Quinlan.
Detectives found the body during a search for Ms Quinlan, 33, at Kangaroo Flat near Bendigo on Wednesday.
"Yesterday missing persons detectives conducted a large scale search of the Kangaroo Flat area," Detective Inspector Jill Dyson told reporters on Thursday.
"At approximately midday we located some items of interest, which late last night were identified as human remains. We believe at this stage those remains are those of Simone Quinlan."
The Melton mum was last seen driving from a service station about 11pm on August 24.
She has not used her bank cards or mobile phone since.
Ms Quinlan's father Wayne says the discovery of human remains is heartbreaking for him and his family.
"I'm still living on the edge, but I do want my girl home," he told the Nine Network on Thursday.
His daughter had battled drug use, he said, but was a devoted mother to her children aged five and 12.
Police allege Melton men Brendan Neil, Dylan Jez and Wayne Marmo murdered Ms Quinlan at Bacchus Marsh on August 25.
They did not apply for bail in the Melbourne Magistrate's Court and have been remanded in custody until their next court appearance in February.
A port-mortem examination will determine the cause of death.
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