Updated July 13, 2026 — 12:28pm,first published July 13, 2026 — 6:47amThe man accused of murdering Jana Armstrong has asserted his innocence and will defend allegations he dumped her body in bushland an hour from her home in southern Queensland.Armstrong’s ex-partner, Dharminder Singh, 48, was arrested on Sunday hours after pig hunters stumbled across the remains of the 30-year-old in bushland between Toowoomba and the town of Esk.The discovery was a devastating end to a four-day search by family and friends to find Armstrong, the mother of a four-month-old baby boy.The little boy was held in his aunt’s arms in the front row of Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday, where Indian-born Singh, the baby’s father, appeared via video link.Singh sat with his arms crossed, at times putting his face in his hands.“She was so caring and loved her son so much, more than anything,” Jana’s sister Faith Isaacs said. FacebookHe is alleged to have dumped Armstrong’s body off Esk-Hampton Road in steep and rough terrain, and is also facing charges of arson of a motor vehicle.Prosecutor Amanda Stephens asked for a 10-week adjournment for the brief of evidence to be prepared.When asked outside how Singh was doing, his lawyer Ramli Salehkon said: “He’s OK. He’s quite distressed.“It is a distressing time for everyone. My client has co-operated with the police in the course of their investigations into this matter,” he said.“My client asserts his innocence. This matter will be defended.Dharminder Singh, 48, pictured before he was arrested over the murder of his ex-partner Jana Armstrong.Seven News“My client has rights. I ask that the people respect my client’s family and his loved ones in these difficult times.”Armstrong’s family crowded the courtroom.Her sister, Faith Isaacs, is now caring for her sister’s four-month-old. Last month, Isaacs and her husband Michael lost their own newborn, and the family said Armstrong had supported Isaacs through the heartbreak.Isaacs told media outside court the boy was doing as well as he could be.“I’m just glad he’s in our arms,” she said.She said so much weight had lifted from her shoulders when they got the knock on the door from detectives that an arrest had been made.The family attended court because “everyone just wants to see [the accused]”.“Jana, she needs justice, and that’s what we’re here for.”Armstrong’s sister Faith Isaacs with husband Michael and Armstrong’s baby son outside the Toowoomba courthouse on Monday.Cloe ReadPolice confirmed pig hunters found Armstrong’s body in an area that had not been searched by authorities or the community previously. Isaacs thanked the community and SES for searching.When asked if there was any attempt to hide Armstrong’s remains, Detective Acting Inspector Brian Collins said the case was still under investigation.Collins said a significant part of the investigation was whether Armstrong’s car was used by her alleged killer to move her body.“At this point in time, we believe yes,” he said.Where Armstrong’s baby was during the incident was not known, Collins said. When asked how much involvement Singh had in the child’s life, Collins said it was unclear.He said there was no domestic violence order in place between Singh and Armstrong.Collins said it was believed Armstrong lost her life in the hours between when she was last seen on July 7 and when her car was found in the morning of July 8.Her white Hyundai Kona had been found parked essentially in the middle of the road, police said.Isaacs said her sister always wanted to be a mother.“That was her dream ... she loved every day, every minute, spending time with her son,” she said.“She was never away from him, and she’s just the most caring and loving person.”The community was shocked by Armstrong’s death, with her neighbours remembering her as a beautiful person.Armstrong had moved into her place about six months ago, her neighbour said.“Just a lovely person,” neighbour Peter Burton said. “She was a nice lady. It’s very sad.”Flowers and stuffed toys are placed in Armstrong’s memory along the fence of her house in Newtown, Toowoomba.Cloe ReadAs Armstrong’s family, friends and the community searched bushland for signs of the mother, Singh remained in the scope of the investigation, and gave a statement to police, before being released.He was arrested at a property in Harristown early on Sunday.Police are calling for anyone who might have been in the area or have dashcam between Toowoomba and Esk, especially on the New England Highway and Esk-Hampton Road, between 10.30pm on July 7, and 1.30am on July 8, to come forward.Anyone who saw Armstrong’s white Hyundai Kona with Queensland registration 273ZHQ was urged to contact police.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.Cloe Read is the crime and court reporter at Brisbane Times.Connect via X or email.From our partners