THESE pictures show how party guests were blissfully unaware of the grim contents hidden in the green barrel next to them.

As they ate and drank, they could never have guessed that the body of their host's missing wife was just metres away.

The guests were marking the 21st birthday of Michael Hegarty, whose former father-in-law, Frederick Boyle, was found guilty last week of shooting wife Edwina Boyle and hiding her remains in the drum for 23 years.

Mrs Boyle went missing in October 1983 and her husband told family and friends she had left him to start a new life with a truck driver named Ray.

Nearly 10 years later, on February 19, 1993, Mrs Boyle's relatives were among guests at the Boyle family home in Carrum Downs, Victoria, Australia to celebrate Mr Hegarty's 21st birthday.

Recalling his 21st birthday to the jury, Mr Hegarty became emotional.

Snapshots showed guests partying underneath the carport, which was decorated with balloons and streamers.

And Mr Hegarty identified his cousin and her boyfriend posing in one image and a friend and his uncle in another.

The green drum can be seen in each picture.

During a clean-up of the family property Mr Hegarty cut open the drum and made the grim discovery.

Last week a jury found Boyle guilty of shooting his wife.

Boyle, 58, awaits sentencing.