A TEAM of experts in  forensics, pathology and ballistics, will today start analysing evidence from the scene where the bodies of Scott Maitland and Cindy Masonwells were believed to have been dumped.

Two bodies, thought to be those of the missing couple, were recovered from bushland beside Lake Morris Rd at the back of Kanimbla yesterday.

The discovery marks a turning point in the case but is heartbreaking news for the relatives of the couple.

Far Northern Region regional crime co-ordinator Det Insp Bruno Asnicar said the team of experts was likely to remain at the site until about lunchtime today before "regrouping" to study the
evidence.

"We have to bring in experts so we can make sense of it and move forward from here," he said.

"All we can do is do our jobs, move forward and make sure we do this properly, we don’t compromise anything and look at every single angle."

The team of experts, which will also comprise medical specialists, begins arriving in Cairns today to join the
investigation.

Insp Asnicar said Cairns police’s forensic crash unit would be brought in this morning to develop a 3D Google map of the Lake Morris Rd site.

He said residents could expect the road to reopen some time later today and paid tribute to the public for their patience. Bungalow mechanic Brandon Peter McGowan, 41, has been charged with murdering the couple and his case was first mentioned in Cairns Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The case has been adjourned to a committal hearing on September 3.

Investigators have not ruled out other people being involved.

"We haven’t discounted that at this stage and we will continue to move forward with that," Insp Asnicar said.

Mr Maitland’s aunt, Jan Richards, yesterday said the family was trying to digest the tragic news.

"I think we are just in total shock, even though we were expecting the worst," she told WIN Local News.

"It’s hard to accept that something like this has happened. It happens to other people, it doesn’t happen to you."

She described the couple as "soulmates".

"They complemented each other," Ms Richards said.

"Cindy was very outgoing, Scott was a little bit, I wouldn’t say shy but she brought the best out in him and vice versa."

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