Police became concerned for the welfare of Darren Fishburn, 42, when he had not been seen since his wife’s suspicious death on Tuesday.

Ms Sindermann’s daughter found her mother laying on the floor of a shed in the backyard of her great grandmother’s Wyndham Street, Greta, house at about 9.30am on Tuesday.

Hunter Valley crime manager Trent King said the initial call to police stated Ms Sindermann, 43, had been found hanging in the shed, but when police arrived she was on the floor.

He said this inconsistency had formed part of the investigation, but suicide had been ruled out.

Greta residents were rocked by news of the death yesterday.

Many residents in the small town knew Ms Sindermann’s grandmother, Irma Sindermann, who had lived in Greta for more than 50 years.

Police said Ms Sindermann had moved into the Wyndham Street house to care for her elderly grandmother.

Neighbours in the rural residential street said members of the Sindermann household kept to themselves.

Mr Fishburn’s Facebook page was filled with photos of reptiles and horses, which were believed to be an interest the couple shared.

Police believe Mr Fishburn may be using a red 1989 model Nissan Patrol.

The search was being conducted in bushland in the Wyee area.

Police would not reveal why this area was the focus of their investigations.