A body found in a “decomposed state” next to an abandoned ute 50km north-west of Lake Cargelligo is believed to be a gunman suspected of killing his pregnant former partner in remote New South Wales.

A large-scale manhunt for Julian Ingram, 37, has been under way since January when he allegedly shot Sophie Quinn, her new boyfriend and her aunt in Lake Cargelligo, about 450km west of Sydney. He was on bail at the time for alleged domestic violence related offices against Quinn.

Ingram, also known as Julian Pierpoint, was last seen driving a Ford Ranger ute with council signage from the town on 22 January.

Body believed to be alleged triple murderer Julian Ingram found near abandoned ute in ‘decomposed state’

“Next to this vehicle, police have also located a male body in a very decomposed state and next to this body is a firearm, and at this point, police believe that the person laying next to the vehicle could be Julian Ingram,” Holland said.

“At this point, the body appears to have been there for some time.”

Police were alerted to the body on Monday and Holland said it was still very early in the investigation. The body is yet to be formally identified and the cause of death is not yet known.

“For the last four months… the manhunt for Julian Ingram, have not given up. There’s been hundreds of police involved. Obviously, it’s a relief for them to find this body,” Holland said.

“But the main thing is, as it brings closure to this investigation, it brings closure to the people of Lake Cargelligo, and gives some solace to the town so they can relax.”

He said the investigation would have continued until Ingram was found.

Ingram is accused of murdering Quinn, 25, and her unborn child; John Harris, 32; and Nerida Quinn, 50. A 19-year-old man was also allegedly seriously injured in the attack.

In March, police offered a $250,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest of Julian Ingram. At that point, police had scoured 60,000 acres of land in the search for Ingram and said there were another 600,000 acres to be covered.

During the same press conference announcing the reward, assistant commissioner Andrew Holland said “we believe he is being supported by someone in the community”.

Police are facing scrutiny over the decision to grant Ingram bail for allegedly assaulting Quinn two months before allegedly murdering her.

Police have repeatedly said a risk assessment found he did not pose an unacceptable risk and that Ingram had previously complied with court orders.