Hands were severed and teeth removed from the body of a man whose burnt remains were found in a NSW forest, allegedly in an attempt to conceal the victim's identity.
Tyron Beauchamp's body was discovered by fire crews who were called to put out a blaze in the Yarratt State Forest north of Taree on December 27 last year.
The 41-year-old victim was originally from Queensland but had moved to the NSW mid north coast in mid-2018.
Detectives on Wednesday morning arrested four men - aged 19, 22, 23 and 24 - at separate homes in Taree. A fifth man, aged 42, was later arrested at Taree police station.
The quintet is now being questioned by detectives.
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It's expected two of the men will be charged with Mr Beauchamp's murder, two with being accessories after the fact to murder, and one with concealing a serious crime, Detective Superintendent Scott Cook told reporters.
NSW Police believe Mr Beauchamp was at a social gathering with three other men on Christmas Day when an argument broke out over some property.
They allege he was beaten by two men - one with a steel bar - that resulted in severe head injuries and ultimately death.
Det Supt Cook said Mr Beauchamp's hands were allegedly severed and his teeth removed in an attempt to disguise his body.
Days before the discovery of Mr Beauchamp's body a death threat was posted to the 41-year-old's Facebook page in the form of a comment.
"I'm going to break you and bury you where nobody will ever find your remains (you're) a dog," a mostly anonymous profile wrote on December 23.
Mr Beauchamp responded a day later with: "How bout U show ya face n I'll come meet U."
