Men charged after missing dad found in shallow grave

Two men have fronted court charged with the murder of a young father who was missing for six weeks in Victoria.

Nathan Day, 34, was last seen at a property in Wangaratta, about 250km north-east of Melbourne, on July 26.

Police allege local men Phillip Dunn and Darcy McNamara killed Mr Day after a party got out of control at the residence.

Yesterday, the missing persons squad found Mr Day's body in a shallow grave at another Wangaratta property just after 4pm.

His body was allegedly found with strangulation marks and stab wounds. A post-mortem will be carried out to determine the cause of death.

Mr Dunn and Mr McNamara have been charged with murder, and appeared briefly at the Wangaratta Magistrates Court today.

It was revealed Mr McNamara is a diagnosed schizophrenic, has bipolar and an acquired brain injury.

Mr Dunn also has bipolar, the court heard.

The accused pair will re-appear in court via video-link on February 14 for a committal mention.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.