Ex-partner denies woman's cold case murder

The former partner of Sydney woman Cheryl Ardler is set to face trial for her murder after pleading not guilty in court.

The Cranebrook woman's skeletal remains were found in bushland near her home in May 2018, more than five years after she was last seen.

Dennis Andrew French, 40, was arrested in 2019 and charged with murdering her on or about December 12, 2012.

"Not guilty," he told the NSW Supreme Court on Friday.

The court was told the identity of the person who killed Ms Ardler will be at issue.

"He participated in a police interview where he says she essentially left him and he hadn't heard from her since," French's lawyer told the court.

Police have alleged French assaulted Ms Ardler before killing her and burying her in bushland in December 2012.

The trial was set down for September 28, 2021, and could run for up to seven weeks.