UPDATE: A LEYBURN man has been charged with the murder of Sam Price-Purcell after a three-year investigation into the Brisbane man's disappearance. 

  Michael Jay Evans, 36, was arrested yesterday and officially charged with murder.   

He was also charged with misconduct of a corpse and arson involving a Toyota Prado.  

Mr Evans was due to appear at the Toowoomba Magistrates Court yesterday, but was not brought up from the watch.  

Mr Evans is the first person to be charged after a protracted investigation to solve the case of Mr Price-Purcell's disappearance.  

Sam Price-Purcell went missing from the Michelton area in February 2015.   

Police believe he had travelled to Toowoomba and hasn't been sighted since.   

But recent breakthroughs in the investigation led detectives to a Leyburn property in March, where police allege Mr Evans used to live.   

Breakthroughs in the case came after Mr Price-Purcell's mother made an emotional plea for people to come forward with information on the third anniversary of his disappearance.   

Firearms and drug paraphernalia were allegedly uncovered when police churned through dirt on the Leyburn property in March.   

Police said the current property owners were not suspects in the investigation.  

"We know that Sam and the accused we have charged today are associates," Detective Acting Inspector Dave Nicoll said at a press conference yesterday.

 Police will allege Mr Evans and co-offenders disposed of evidence at a property in Helidon after murdering the Brisbane man, who was once described as a low-level drug dealer.   

Forensic investigators analysed swabs taken from a yellow Holden Commodore, which Mr Price-Purcell is believed to have been driving at the time of his disappearance.   

Police revealed the Toyota Prado belonged to a relative of Mr Evans, who was charged with arson of the vehicle.   Magistrate Kay Ryan adjourned the matter at the Toowoomba Magistrates Court yesterday.   

Mr Evan's case will be heard on September 10 in the Brisbane Magistrates Court.  

Insp Nicoll said Mr Price-Purcell's mother, Leonie Price, had been notified of the charge.   

"She is very thankful and pleased but the location of the remains of her son is obviously crucial to her."  

Insp Nicoll said police were continuing to investigate other suspects believed to be linked to Mr Price-Purcell's death.  

"Certainly we believe there was a number of people involved in his [alleged] murder, and then there is at least one other who is an accessory," the Insp said.  

Detectives are continuing to search for the body of Mr Price-Purcell.   

The case, which became a homicide investigation last year, has involved a core team of seven investigators from the homicide investigation unit and Ferny Grove CIB. 

"We have made a number of inquiries into the location of the body," Insp Nicoll said.   

"We have exhausted those inquiries and do not know the location of those remains."   

Police are appealing to the public to come forward with any information they may have in relation to the case.   

"The key part of this investigation has been speaking to witnesses," Insp Nicoll said.   

"We have spoken to countless people over the past 12 months and we have been able to piece together a picture which we believe is quite comprehensive."   

"We would like to thank those members of the community who came forward and provided us with information and assistance in this case.  

"However, while this arrest is certainly a significant breakthrough for us, it does not mark the end. We still have more work to do and remain committed to bringing all those responsible before the court."