21 years jail for 'body in barrel' murderer

A Melbourne man who murdered his wife and hid her body in a barrel has been sentenced to 21 years jail.

Last month, 58-year-old Frederick William Boyle of Carrum Downs was found guilty of the murder of his wife, Edwina Boyle.

She was shot in the head as she lay in bed in the family home in October 1983.

Boyle hid her body in a 44-gallon drum and told the family and the police she had run away with another man. Her body was found 23 years later.

Justice Jack Forrest told the Court, Boyle had shown no remorse whatsoever, and had constructed a web of deceit and lies to avoid being caught.

Boyle will serve a non-parole period of 17 years.