Murder charge after man's remains found just metres from family's 'missing' posters

A man has been charged with murder following an investigation into the death of a man who went missing in Melbourne.

Neighbours living near the Westmeadows home where Joshua Bishop's remains were discovered have told of their shock.

They revealed the Sunbury man's family had recently posted missing person notices just metres from where the body was found.

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After 32 agonising days of searching, Bishop's body was found at a Westmeadows home, one block away from where his phone last pinged.

Police raided a townhouse on Erinbank Crescent yesterday.

Locals said there were up 20 police officers plus the dog squad.

They searched the backyard and inside the home and found human remains.

A 27-year-old man was arrested and police tonight announced he had been charged with murder.

Bus stops and light poles across the road from the home where the body was found are still plastered with pleas for information.

"(His) mum came in two Saturdays ago, asked if she could hang a picture up," one local business owner said.

Missing persons detectives earlier declared Josh had no criminal links.

The 23 year-old was last seen by his housemates in Sunbury on May 27.

Later, his phone pinged around Broadmeadows Valley Park.

Police spent days searching the area to no avail.

His family made an emotional appeal.

"We just want him to know, him to know that we love, we're here for him. We just want him to be safe," his mother, Kristie said.

"It just feels like a continuous nightmare," his father, Travis, said.

There's no clear link between the arrested man and the victim.

Friends of the family today left tributes online.

"We are devastated and struggling to find the words," one wrote.

"Rest in peace, Josh. You are deeply loved, and you will never be forgotten."

The 27-year-old is due to face Melbourne Magistrates' Court tomorrow.