True Crime Conversations: The Family Murders Of Adelaide on - Apple [14] The hair around the area had been shaved as it would have been in an operation in a hospital. [8] The reward carried an offer of immunity to accomplices, dependent on their level of involvement. So the police began reaching out to people that worked or had otherwise been in the area. This argument would carry on for a few minutes, while the trio was parked along War Memorial Drive, overlooking the Torrens River. Their psychological profile indicated that Neil's body had been carved up due to either a psychotic killer that derived pleasure from inflicting pain on others or someone that wanted to hide his/her identity. Nine days after Mark Langley went missing, his body was discovered in the Adelaide Foothills, close to Mount Lofty in the area known as Summertown. Over the next few days, it became apparent that Alan Barnes was not returning home. Case 166: The Family - Casefile: True Crime Podcast Police thought that these gruesome and violent actions had been part of an effort to easily transport Neil's remains out to sea, and dispose of them in a way that they'd degrade before being identified. Just east of Adelaide, this area is well-known to Southern Australians, as it serves as a primary destination for the area's outdoorsmen and women. The Family Murders: 'Dissected' - Amazon.com.au If that was true, then could that have been happening to the other young male victims that had been viciously murdered in the preceding years? The son was fifteen when he was snatched from the street . He had a network of over 30 people. South Australia's overdue for another It was the body of Neil Muir or, rather, what remained of him. Witnesses would later recall having seen the two at some of the area's gay bars and clubs (which I referenced just a moment ago). The Butchered Boys of Adelaide. Interview with Homicide Detective Bob O George, an impressionable young man, was enticed by the offer and accepted. But the rumors that he engaged in sex work were mainly perpetrated by those that knew him from his regular haunts: members of Adelaide's gay community, who regularly saw Neil at the gay-friendly bars they frequented. Only one suspect has been charged and convicted for the crimes: Bevan Spencer von Einem was sentenced in 1984 to a minimum of 24 years (later extended to a minimum 36-year term) for the murder of 15-year-old Richard Kelvin. He vividly remembered hearing a young voice shout out (which we can assume was Richard) and a group of voices screaming in protest, almost in unison. See what they say here. He is 50 metres from his beautiful family home. Stogneff still skipped school but never made it home. There were signs that he had been tortured and beaten by a sexual sadist, who had likely kept Alan drugged with a chemical compound named chloral hydrate. He failed to make any contact with his family, and police began to express concern that he had gone missing under duress. This was as good of a tip as police were going to get, and since the most recent victim of this strange killing spree had been found in the Foothills, police decided to follow through on the tip. While Neil Muir had endured a similar fate, his remains were too badly mutilated to test for any drugs; however, the injuries suffered seemed to be identical. A short time later, police were contacted and later arrived at the scene to document the grisly find. Gay people (in particular, gay men) began to become more comfortable in their own skin, and no longer had to suppress their sexuality in public. Young Blood refers to the age of the victims who were brutally murdered. Neil Fredrick Muir, aged 25,[12][13] murdered two months after Barnes in August 1979. Alan's friend made it back to his house within minutes, but unfortunately, Alan was not so lucky. He remembered going to a back room of the house to have sex with one of the older women, only to discover - during the act itself - that she was transgender. Once known as the "City of Churches," Adelaide began going through a stark progression in the 1960s. He was the son of Channel 9 News host Rob Kelvin, who had just recently taken over the hosting gig after more than a decade of field reporting through the station and a radio affiliate. Richard walked him down the road to the nearby O'Connell Street bus stop, arriving without incident, and waited there for his friend's bus to arrive. (What a lovely country, Australia!) It was there that they found his backpack hidden in the garage, which ultimately led to calls to all of his friends. Through these connections, police were able to link all of these crimes together. Because Neil's transient lifestyle led to him becoming known as a bit of a vagabond, his sexuality was not exactly common knowledge. Family Murders Are Adelaide's Most Horrific Unsolved Crime - PEDESTRIAN.TV This site is constantly being updated as more is learned. The Family Murders is a well known and notorious series of crimes that occurred in Adelaide, Australia. Oh, that reminds me. Even though Dr. Peter Millhouse had supposedly known Neil Muir for several years, there was never any proof that the two had a sexual relationship. Referred to as a "Randy Mandy" among the era's deviants, Mandrax was a sedative that had just become popular worldwide with the branding "Quaalude." Some of his strategies were to unscrew his car muffler or pull out his choke and ask an unsuspecting youth to help him with car trouble. Some of the employees that worked at the area's bars recalled seeing the two together multiple times that weekend, and other character witnesses described Dr. Millhouse and Neil as being very close friends (intimate, even). But he then set off again, likely headed towards the distant Rundle Mall, where he was due to meet up with his friend, Daniel, that day. Mandrax was quickly gaining notoriety as a drug used in the commission of date-rape crimes, and the local government decided that the best way to combat their usage was to keep them regulated so that they had a record of everyone that was prescribed them. On the final weekend of August 1979, Neil was spotted at both the Duke of York and Buckingham Arms ("The Buck"), two local gay bars that I referenced at the top of the episode. [20] His mutilated body was found in scrub in the Adelaide foothills nine days after his disappearance. This screening also revealed that the young man had been drugged with Mandrax ("Randy Mandys"), which had resulted in him losing consciousness. Bevan von Einems life revolved around sexual sadism. Although there were in excess of 150 youths and young men who were drugged and raped, often by multiple men, this section focuses on the five young men who didnt come home. Peter Stogneff was a fourteen-year-old that lived with his family in a middle-class home, in a northeastern suburb of Adelaide. He was found wearing most of the clothing he had last been seen in, minus an undershirt and without the chains he often wore around his neck (which contained his zodiac sign, Cancer). Also, like the other victims, Mark's cause-of-death seemed to be nearly identical: blood loss from an anal injury, caused by the forced insertion of an unknown item. [5] Others, who have examined the cases, however, argue that there were many more victims. If you have information about the case then contact us through our contact page. The Family Murders was a series of murders in the 1970s and 1980s that targeted young men in Adelaide, South Australia between the ages of 14 and 25. He would literally go on to write the book about this terrifying saga, called "Young Bloods," which - if you're interested - is one of the best resources for this case. Alan Barnes was a teenager growing up in this environment, who seemed to live on the bubble between childhood and adulthood in the winter of 1979. The Family Murders is the name given to a series of five murders speculated to have been committed by a loosely connected group of individuals who came to be known as "The Family". Millhouse was charged and went to trial but was acquitted. Regardless, this information was incredibly helpful to police, who began to expand their interests to finding people in the area that drove similar vehicles. Alan and his friend bid adieu to one another, with his friend assured that Alan would be okay; Grand Junction Road was always busy and teeming with life, and it wasn't like he was leaving Alan in the middle of the night. Neil Muir was someone that you could describe as a transient. From the outside looking in, von Einem was incredibly average. A span of 4 years. Eventually, Peter returned home with his backpack, stowing it in his family's garage while his parents were at work. While investigators had been keeping information closely guarded in this case, they decided to publicize this information to the media in the hopes that it would attract follow-up tips. It's important to note that, even though members of the LGBTQ community felt more comfortable to express themselves socially, that did not mean that everyone in the area was necessarily welcoming. He had multiple channels to procuring young men. The severing of Neil's limbs and the mutilation of his body was originally believed to have been part of an effort to dispose of his body. He had seemingly disappeared, and a brief search of the area failed to come up with him. The Adelaide Festival of Arts (also known as just Adelaide Festival) started in 1960 and led to something of a "cultural revival" in the area. Bevan von Einem was an apex predator. So, they believed that this crime might have been perpetrated by someone that Neil owed money to, who wanted to cover up their tracks afterward. He was able to exploit and manipulate enablers, helpers and participants over a long period of time. He immediately contacted the police, and when they arrived at the scene, they were able to quickly identify the remains as Peter. Between 1979 and 1983, the city of Adelaide in South Australia was the stage for a horrific string of crimes against young men and teenagers.Five known victims of kidnapping, sexual abuse and murder showed up in those years, and police became convinced that the perpetrator was actually a group of several men . He was seventeen years old, with a youthful, handsome appearance, and a carefree, fun-loving attitude. Australian police launch appeal to solve string of notorious killings stretching back to 1966, The Advertiser - Doctor found not guilty of Family murder of Neil Muir dies in NSW, Kimberly Riley & Jeremy Britt-Bayinthavong, Paul Skiba, Sarah Skiba, and Lorenzo Chivers, June & Jennifer Gibbons (The Silent Twins). Lost diary gives South Australia police new lead into Alan Barnes He found like minded people who shared a similar sexual bent, and he found people he could mutually exploit to lure victims into his car. He was also found to be wearing clothing that did not belong to him, and his original clothing was missing entirely. Bevan von Einem had a network of around 25-30 people. A day or two prior, at least. Medical examiners and investigators began to theorize about the rationale for the surgical scar, and the most plausible one to-date is perhaps one of the worst to imagine. Its always easier to visualise events when you have maps. If your information is verified and its not breaking any laws, we may publish it. They organized a helicopter search of the area, which O'Brien was present for, but unfortunately, the police were unable to find anything definitive. Only one suspect has been charged and convicted for the crimes: Bevan Spencer von Einem was sentenced in 1984 to a minimum of 24 years (later extended to a minimum 36-year term) for the murder of 15-year-old Richard Kelvin. Darko's brother dropped them at a bus stop near the corner of on Grand Junction Rd and Addison Neil Muir was last seen in Hindley St, Adelaide in the company of Dr Peter Leslie Millhouse at 3pm on the day he was murdered. This horrific sight was quickly reported to police, who arrived at the scene and immediately cordoned off the area around where the fisherman had reportedly discovered the floating trash bags. It's 1983, and a 15-year-old boy named Richard Kelvin is in a laneway in North Adelaide. Make no mistake, Bevan Spencer von Einem is the architect behind all these crimes. The Family Murders in South Australia : r/UnresolvedMysteries Although each attack and mutilation appeared different, police investigators soon began to link the horrific murders to one another. In a word, no. Father of boat crash victim Mallory Beach snubs Alex Murdaugh's family Alan's body had fallen to the dirt below, twisting and contorting in such a way that - should he have been alive - would have surely resulted in death or serious injury. Of the young men whose stories I'll cover in this episode, he was by far the youngest, and his face showed it: he still had the youthful appearance of a child, and by all accounts, seemed to be your typical teenage boy. [8] Little more could be determined as the remains had been accidentally burnt by the farmer while clearing his property of scrub.[11][19]. His body also showed signs of beatings and torture. He never made it home. He had school the next day, dinner was waiting, and he wanted to call his girlfriend. The last victim was the son of our local television newsreader. The news was heartbreaking for those that had known Alan. While charges would later be filed against several police officers, they were ultimately acquitted; and it has been widely accepted in the decades since that local law enforcement engaged in a systematic cover-up. Progressive ideas began to spread out from Adelaide, but even then, progress itself was rather slow to catch on throughout large chunks of South Australia. Only one suspect has been charged and convicted for a crime. Add onto that abductions, drug-lacing, mutilations, victims held in captivity for weeks, and death by sado-masochism. This section explores the people who at this stage are thought to have been on the periphery. The Family Murders is a well known and notorious series of crimes that occurred in Adelaide, Australia. The older driver not only offered to give George a ride but offered to show him a good time with some ladies he knew. Unfortunately, from there, the trail would go cold for over a year at which point, another victim had already become ensnared in this tragic saga. When a warrant was eventually served on Dr. Millhouse's cottage in northern Adelaide, police found the same type of trash bags and rope that had been found with Neil Muir's remains. Trace evidence, including hair and fibres from von Einem's home, was found on Kelvin's body and clothing. Show True Crime Conversations, Ep The Family Murders Of Adelaide - 10 Nov 2021. Both witnesses - who were friends with Neil and drug users themselves - were prepared to testify should this man be tried for the murder. This theory is that whatever item had been used to sexually assault Mark with - which ultimately led to his death - had gotten caught up in his intestines, and required surgery to retrieve. Among those voices, he described, was a higher-pitched voice, which sounded almost feminine. Meanwhile, as police struggled to answer these basic questions, the trial against Dr. Peter Millhouse remained a thing of the past. The fishermen probed the bags - a mystery just waiting to be unearthed - and quickly discovered that the bags held human remains. The son of popular local Nine Network news presenter Rob Kelvin, he was abducted a short distance from his North Adelaide home on 5 June. Due to changes in the Forensic Procedures Act, which later allowed DNA samples to be taken from suspects in major indictable offences, all the suspects voluntarily submitted to DNA testing. Victims - The Family Murders Victims Alan Barnes Feb 12, 2021 The night before he went missing he stayed at Darko Kastelan's house in Cheltenham. That Monday - August 27th, 1979 - Neil Muir was seen alive for the last time. Add onto that abductions, drug-lacing, mutilations, victims held in captivity for weeks, and death by sado-masochism. Despite there being an overwhelming lack of physical evidence, police decided to pursue charges against Dr. Millhouse anyways, using the rope and trash bags recovered from his home as their primary building block. In Adelaides gay community in the 1970s and 1980s, young men were coveted for sex. He was seen in the presence of individuals who would become relevant later on, but - at the time - were simply believed to have been his friends. By the time they managed to look outside, whoever had been outside had already sped off. There are also notorious unsolved disappearances in Adelaide, including the Beaumont children. Homosexuality itself would become decriminalized just a few years later, in 1975, with the passing of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, making South Australia the first Australian state or territory where members of the LGBTQ community no longer had to fear government persecution. Following the supposed abduction of Richard Kelvin, the police unit known as Major Crimes was tasked with overseeing the investigation. One such case is the Family Murders of Adelaide, Australia. They wanted to continue eliminating suspects that personally knew Alan ahead of time, but promised to check out von Einem in the future. Police got the number one offender. The very next day - August 28th, 1979 - a couple of fishermen were heading out to the Port Adelaide River, on what was supposed to be a regular workday for them. Neil had several drug debts throughout Adelaide, and that is where police started their investigation. They drove to War Memorial Drive (150m east of the Adelaide Rowing Club ) when Mark had a minor argument with the other male so got out and left. The Clermont County Sheriff's Office . The father of boat crash victim Mallory Beach refused to shake hands with Alex Murdaugh 's family in court after the legal scion was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of his wife and son . After doing away with his old, dried-up crops, the farmer was looking over his land when he came upon the now-charred remains of young Peter Stogneff. This has come to be disputed over the years, with some speculating that Alan might have willingly consumed the drug the weekend before his death; or, perhaps, he might have been slipped it by someone at the bars he was rumored to visit with his friends that Saturday. It wasn't until the next day, Sunday (February 28th), that Mark's parents began to grow concerned. Just two days after the body of Alan Barnes was discovered - when the investigation was still unfolding - an anonymous caller reached out to police. Boris left on a bus, and Richard started making his way back home a trip that was no more than four-hundred meters. When they finally got around to doing this, after the discovery of Richard Kelvin's body, one name popped out at them. When police had arrived at the crime scene, they assumed that whoever had tried to dump the body of Alan Barnes had failed, in some way. There's a conviction in the last murder in the series, but I will include it due to the similarity and due to the man convicted being suspected in the other murders as well. Gambier, a city roughly five hours south of Adelaide. They tried to hitch a ride on Grand Junction Road, a busy thoroughfare in Adelaide, before realizing that they were going to have no luck hitchhiking together. The area around the scar had even been shaved away, implying that this a methodical decision by someone with surgical experience perhaps someone trying to rectify a mistake. This meant that his remains had likely been sitting out in the wilderness for about a week. They kicked the footy around. This website was built on publicly available information contributed by many people who have an interest in this case. Peter Leslie Millhouse was a doctor from Mt. The information is easy to navigate and easy reference. With these results, police were able to successfully link Richard's disappearance and death to at least two prior cases: Alan Barnes and Mark Langley, who had been similarly drugged and sexually assaulted before their deaths. His body had been dissected into parts, with his internal organs carved out and missing, replaced by his lower legs and arms, which had been sawed off and placed inside of his hollowed-out chest cavity. Unlike the other murder victims, however, Mark's body showed an odd sign of surgical precision. Because of this lack of clarity, police were unable to press forward with any charges for the offenders, and George's story would become buried by more pressing police concerns in the coming weeks and months. Now twenty-five years old, Neil had spent the better part of the last few years struggling with addictions and vices that left him moving from place-to-place pretty regularly. And Marshall is no novice at delving into the minds of evil men. Unfortunately, as the farmer's land burned, so did the remains of the missing teenager. They hoped to use character witnesses to build up the relationship between the two, and then use other eyewitnesses to fill in the rest (the drugs, the sexual relationship, etc.). Australia's murder capital: Why can't Adelaide bury the myth? [21] Among the mutilations was a wound that appeared to have been cut with a surgical instrument that went from his navel to the pubic region and part of his small bowel was missing. In October of 1982 - in the very midst of this crime spree - a teenage hitchhiker named George had been picked up by a passing car. Neil's penis had been cut, and he was missing a testicle at the time of discovery. The victims ranged in age from 14 to 25, and most were found to have suffered brutal violence, sexual assaults, and/or body mutilation before their death. On this night, in particular, that included these three men. An accountant by profession, he was convicted in 1984 for the murder of 15-year-old Adelaide teenager Richard Kelvin, the son of local television and radio personality Rob Kelvin. However, Neil's life was far less glamorous; rumors persist to this day that, leading up to August of 1979, Neil was engaging in sex work to support his bad habits and lifestyle. The Family Murders (Part One: The Murders) - Spreaker This reported sighting led police to the notion that a group of people might have been acting in-tandem to abduct Richard, for reasons that appeared nefarious. He was in G Block of Yatala Prison for decades but was transferred to Port Augusta Prison in the north of the state in 2007. Rather than have to read the whole site, or miss updates in the case because you dont know they exist, this section will show time-stamped updates so you can keep up to date with developments.