Missing Novy's husband returns home

The husband of missing Gold Coast woman Novy Chardon has flown home after police uncovered a ute they hope will provide clues in the suspected murder.

John Chardon, who was believed to have been in Indonesia on a business trip, touched down at Brisbane International Airport on Friday morning and is helping police with their inquiries.

Parts of a white ute were uncovered on Thursday after two days of digging at a Mount Nathan property owned by Dave Babbington, who has told police that he is an "acquaintance" of Mr Chardon.

Neighbours have told police they saw the vehicle being buried a year ago, about the time Ms Chardon disappeared.

Detective Superintendent David Hutchinson says further investigations are needed to confirm it is the same make and model as a ute seen at Ms Chardon's Upper Coomera home before her disappearance.

"I certainly don't have any experience with recovering fingerprints from a vehicle that's been underground for 12 months," he said.

Detectives say they have no information Ms Chardon's body will be inside the ute.

Mr Babbington's lawyer Campbell MacCallum says his client told police some items were buried in his backyard, but denied any link to the Chardon case.

Mr Chardon, whose own lawyer has described him as the chief suspect in the case, has always denied any involvement in his estranged wife's disappearance.

Ms Chardon, 34, was last seen on the night of February 6 last year.

Her Volvo 4WD was found a week after her disappearance near the Nerang railway station, more than 20km away from her Upper Coomera home.