A man who vanished for two days has been found shot dead and buried in a shallow grave on his farm.

The last confirmed sighting of 65-year-old Richard Wills was of him leaving his home in Ouyen, about 450km northwest of Melbourne near the South Australian border, on Sunday.

Police were told he went to work on his rural property on the Mallee Highway around 8am as part of his normal routine.

But he failed to return for lunch, prompting family members to scour the property for him to no avail.

His wife reported him missing on Monday morning when he still had not returned.

Mr Wills’ body was found in a police search at around 1.30 pm on Tuesday, fatally shot.

‘Sadly, Richard has clearly met with foul play,’ Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Trewavas of the Missing Persons Squad said.

‘What is still unclear is exactly who was involved, and why.

Richard Wills was shot and killed before being buried in a shallow grave
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Richard Wills was shot and killed before being buried in a shallow grave

Ouyen is about 450km northwest of Melbourne near the South Australian border
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Ouyen is about 450km northwest of Melbourne near the South Australian border

Wills was seen leaving his home in Ouyen to work on his rural property on the Mallee Highway
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Wills was seen leaving his home in Ouyen to work on his rural property on the Mallee Highway

‘We are very keen to speak to anyone who may have any knowledge of the circumstances which led to his death and who was responsible.

‘We’re hoping that this appeal leads to someone coming forward and doing the right thing – it can be done anonymously – so that we can hold those responsible to account.

Anyone who saw Richard on Easter Sunday or who may have any information regarding his death is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

A press conference in Ouyen is due to be held on Saturday.