Chilly bin murder: Accused in court

Murdered man Campbell Paterson. Photo / Supplied

The man charged with killing a New Zealander whose remains were found in a chilly bin in rural Queensland is due to have his case heard in court today.

Napier father Campbell Paterson had been working in Cairns and returning home every few months.

On November 20, his body was found in a chilly bin in bushland in Far North Queensland.

David Leslie Hickson, 32, was charged with the murder of Mr Paterson and interference with a corpse.

Mr Paterson was wanted by police on drugs and violence charges in the days before police discovered his body.

Police executed a search warrant at the Cairns home of Hickson after the discovery of Mr Paterson's body.

Queensland police said the crimes were alleged to have occurred on November 7.

Hickson was remanded in custody.

The matter was due to be heard in court again on December 17.

To help with the costs of returning Mr Paterson's body, his Napier-based family raised nearly $5000 via the Give a Little website, in an effort to give him the "tangi he deserves".