Kenneth John Giles: Tanya Moran, partner of Mullewa fugitive, still has ‘faith’ that he is alive

The partner of accused Mullewa gunman Kenneth John Giles says she “still has faith that he is alive” despite no trace of him, except for his abandoned vehicle, being found in almost two months.

On Wednesday, police confirmed that a member of the public found Mr Giles’ white Nissan Patrol ute in remote scrub in Nunierra, near Hackett Creek, on Monday afternoon.

It is about 40km north-east of the property where the 58-year-old experienced bushman was last seen on January 7 after allegedly shooting his long-time partner Tanya Moran in the hand and fleeing, believed to still be armed.

No firearms were found inside the vehicle, and heavy rains from cyclone Mitchell earlier in February have washed away any tracks or scents which may have provided clues to Mr Giles’ movements.

In comments on social media, Ms Moran queried why it took so long to find the vehicle when police had been searching the area for seven weeks.

“Once the local (who found the vehicle) drew them (police) a map and pin dropped it for them they found it,” she wrote.

“I know the area well, it’s our backyard. Ken and I love tiki touring all through there, he has taken me many places over the last near 20 years.

“He is an extremely great bushman and knows how to escape the heat so I still have faith he is alive.”

Mid West-Gascoyne Police Superintendent Neil Vanderplank on Wednesday said Mr Giles could still be alive and was unsure if somebody had been helping him evade capture.

He said the vehicle breakthrough “doesn’t really tell us anything new” about whether Mr Giles was alive or dead.

“It gives us somewhere to start looking as a last known location,” Supt Vanderplank said.

Investigators believe his ute — which was not bogged, still had fuel and had no mechanical issues — had been in the location where it was found for some time, at least before the rains earlier this month.