Ian and Paula, Mark's friends, drove away but would return just minutes later, cooler heads having prevailed. But other than that, this friend had nothing new to offer police: he hadn't seen or heard from Alan since the two went their separate ways. His remains had been dissected and neatly cut into many pieces, placed in a garbage bag and thrown into the Port River at Port Adelaide. 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. Hence, the odd scar that seemed to serve no other purpose. He had become so messed up on drugs and alcohol that a bouncer had to physically drag him outside of a bar, where he stumbled onto the pavement and struggled to get up. For a week, his loved ones had been bracing themselves for the worst, but this was a confirmation of everything they had been fearing for the past several days: Alan had been violently murdered, and had spent his final hours in agony. This caller alleged that the two older men had been driving around a 1963 EJ Holden sedan. Investigators were unable to pinpoint Peter's exact cause-of-death, or even estimate when he had been killed. Alan was supposed to find a ride back home and was taking his luck hitchhiking, hoping that someone willing to pick him up would be heading north towards his family's neighborhood of Salisbury. Alan's friend made it back to his house within minutes, but unfortunately, Alan was not so lucky. Like the other victims, Richard Kelvin's blood and organs were tested for any sign of drugs, with investigators hoping to find a connection to any of the prior victims. Major Crimes was primarily responsible for serial killings, mass killings, and any other high-profile crimes that the local government wanted to be handled by a specialized task force. From the outside looking in, von Einem was incredibly average. I think we might get closer to understanding what happened but I think lack of physical evidence pretty much rules out any more charges being laid. He then moved away from Adelaide and the murders continued. [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. Even though he was nearly an adult at this point - and had a fair amount of independence in his life - this disappearance was deemed very out-of-the-ordinary. Because this murder seemed like the type of crime beset by emotional issues - or likely someone with an ax to grind against Alan, personally - police initially began investigating this as a personal crime. Five young men were mysteriously abducted in different . [7] Suspect 1, an Eastern Suburbs businessman, is believed to have been with von Einem when Kelvin was abducted. It is confirmed that 5 of these victims were murdered, usually by having an object forced so far up their anus that it split the lining and they bled out. But now, they needed to find a suspect. 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. 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. This meant doing away with large plots of dried-out farmland in a prescribed burn to prepare for the upcoming spring bloom. It was broad daylight, and both were assured that Alan would easily be able to find a ride to take him the few miles home. Richard Kelvin's disappearance was a slightly higher profile case than the others I've covered so far - due to him being the son of the region's top newscaster - but even then, the investigation was not without fault. After taking the pills, George's memory began to blur. 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. 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. Five murders and over 150 rapes. Because very little physical evidence had been left behind, it was hard to tell whether or not these crimes belonged to the same spree, or were simply copycats. The bodies were found from 24th June 1979 and the fifth and last body on 24th July 1983. Needless to say, over the past few months, this investigation had become a new beast entirely. If you recall, M.E. Over a span of several years starting in 1979 and into the 80s five young men, aged from 14 to 25, went missing in different areas of Adelaide. However, they quickly began to narrow in on the one avenue of the investigation that seemed most enticing to them at the time: Neil's dependency on drugs and alcohol. 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. 1979: The Family (1 year) 1999: Snowtown murders discovered (20 years) As of 2021, this is the longest Adelaide has gone without a crime that has made national or international headlines as either a weird case (Somerton Man), child kidnapping or brutal serial killings since WWII. The last victim was the son of our local television newsreader. 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. The Family Murders are a series of violent and depraved sex crimes committed against five young men and boys in South Australia throughout the 1970's and 1980's. In 1988 Detective Trevor Kipling described a group of people whom he suspected as being responsible as "one big happy family" and vowed to do all that he could to bring them to justice. 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. Kelvin was held captive for approximately five weeks[24] and a post-mortem examination revealed that he had died of massive blood loss from an anal injury,[25] likely caused by the insertion of a large blunt object. Noctec was found in his blood, suggesting he had been drugged. [15] A post-mortem examination revealed that Muir had died of massive blood loss from an anal injury, likely caused by the insertion of a large blunt object[16] and Noctec was found in his blood. They kicked the footy around. The group was involved in kidnapping, sexually abusing, torturing and murdering 5 boys. For that reason, this crime remains technically unsolved to this day. [16][22] The sedative-hypnotic drug Mandrax, popular in the 1970s disco scene, was found in Langley's blood. In May of 1972, three gay men - George Duncan, Roger James, and another man (whose identity has been withheld in the decades since) - were picked up by members of South Australia's police force. There was a bridge above where his body had been discovered, with a clearing of about a meter; implying that whoever had tried to throw him into the water below had missed the mark, but had not rectified their mistake. Another anonymous caller claimed that they had seen Richard Kelvin in a snuff film, which had been filmed very recently. Criminologist Alan Perry of the University of Adelaide, has argued that the murders were part of widespread series of kidnappings and sexual assaults of boys that might number several hundred victims in South Australia from about 1973 to 1983.[11]. by enjin | Feb 12, 2021 | victim. However, what wasn't up for debate was the fact that Alan had been violently tortured for hours before his death, with his death ultimately coming from blood loss due to an anal injury. However, when Neil Muir's body was discovered, his internal organs had been removed and were gone entirely, leading to police being unable to test his blood levels. Trace evidence, including hair and fibres from von Einem's home, was found on Kelvin's body and clothing. Just like Neil Muir, whoever had taken him had killed him and dumped his body pretty quickly, within a day or two. Of the five men that fell prey to this violent killer, at least two had been drugged with Mandrax, as had George. 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. Peter Stogneff. The male and female drove off but returned At about 6pm on a Sunday afternoon, Richard walked his friend to the bus stop on O'Connell St, North Adelaide. Five murders and over 150 rapes. [20] His mutilated body was found in scrub in the Adelaide foothills nine days after his disappearance. Many of these people were directly involved in the abductions and rape of victims who survived. Police were called out to the scene, and an extensive search of the area commenced. Young Blood refers to the age of the victims who were brutally murdered. 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".This group was believed to be involved in the kidnapping and sexual abuse of a number of teenage boys and young men, as well as the torture and murder of five young men aged between 14 and 25, in Adelaide, South . Millhouse was charged and went to trial but was acquitted. But he didn't commit these crimes on his own. Mr B made contact with police two days after Alan Barnes was found. [8] The reward carried an offer of immunity to accomplices, dependent on their level of involvement. [4][5] In 1989, von Einem was charged with the murders of two other victims, Barnes and Langley, but the prosecution entered a nolle prosequi (voluntarily discontinue criminal charges) during the trial when crucial similar fact evidence was deemed inadmissible by the presiding judge. [8] Little more could be determined as the remains had been accidentally burnt by the farmer while clearing his property of scrub.[11][19]. 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. When this young man woke up the next day, he was surprised to find himself both at home and in significant pain. This meant that his remains had likely been sitting out in the wilderness for about a week. The Kelvins, though upset at the duration of time that had already passed, understood why the process was so delayed but were hopeful that their son would return home to them, safe and sound. Unfortunately, by the time they returned, Mark was nowhere to be found. Listen to "The Family Murders (Part One: The Murders)" on Spreaker. He had multiple channels to procuring young men. 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. Its always easier to visualise events when you have maps. His mother, Judy, would later describe him as being incredibly witty; "cheeky," as she describes in a 2006 documentary, going on to say that Alan was always quick on his feet, and would respond to any type of comment with something sarcastic and bitterly funny. We know that on the morning of Sunday, June 17th, Alan and his friend woke up, and tried their luck hitchhiking back to Alan's family's house (a practice that wasn't that uncommon in the late 1970s). This was cancelled the night before. Millhouse would have Peter intended to skip school and meet his uncle (similar age) in Rundle Mall. Millhouse was charged and went to trial but was acquitted. However, that was very circumstantial evidence at best, and anything but definitive. While searching, they ended up discovering the body of Richard Kelvin, who had been missing for just shy of two months. The Family Murders is the name given to the murders of five young men and boys between 1979 and 1983, with all abducted from the streets of Adelaide before being taken to another location,. Global Nav Open Menu . Suspect 2, a former male prostitute and close friend of von Einem known as Mr B. 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. 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". The jury visits spot where Richard Kelvin's body was found, northeast of Adelaide. It is estimated that over 150 youths and young men were abducted, drugged, and then raped. 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). 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? There are also notorious unsolved disappearances in Adelaide, including the Beaumont children. The Family Murders revolved around von Einem. When using other people (sometimes transgenders, sometimes cross-dressers, and sometimes Mr B), a common ploy was to ask a lone youth if he want to go to a party where there was plenty of booze and women. Subsequent efforts to reach Alan through his friends had failed, and none of them had seen him since the weekend. Once it became clear that something had happened to Peter, his family launched a frantic search for him, starting in the family's home. Any person complicit in the abduction, rape and murders of the five victims, plus any person who visited the place of captivity when a victim was knowingly present, plus any person involved in the abduction, spiking and raping of teenage boys or young men with other members of The Family. . A man who donned a balaclava and stormed a man's Adelaide CBD unit, stabbing him within nine seconds, will spend 20 years behind bars. Sadly, this dark and tragic saga was just beginning. Oh, that reminds me. Eventually, Peter returned home with his backpack, stowing it in his family's garage while his parents were at work. His friend likely just assumed that Peter had bailed on their plan, and likely gone to school that day. The head was tied to the torso with rope passed through the mouth and out through the neck. Police got the number one offender. An ear witness said they heard some shouting, 2020 familymurders.com All Rights Reserved. Both witnesses - who were friends with Neil and drug users themselves - were prepared to testify should this man be tried for the murder. 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 seen in the presence of individuals who would become relevant later on, but - at the time - were simply believed to have been his friends. The Family Murders is a well known and notorious series of crimes that occurred in Adelaide, Australia. 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. 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. He had school the next day, dinner was waiting, and he wanted to call his girlfriend. A short time later, police were contacted and later arrived at the scene to document the grisly find. Examiners discovered that just a few inches above his groin - just below his navel - Mark had a small surgical scar that had been sealed shut with staples and a specific type of Johnson & Johnson surgical tape. According to his family, this was right in-line with Richard's odd sense of humor. 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. He has spent that Sunday, June the 5th, playing footy, until the afternoon when his best friend Karl came over. And at least one witness - a security guard that lived just down the street from the Kelvins - recalled some more details succinctly. Due to the state of the young man's remains, it was believed that Alan had been detained against his will for several days. Darko's brother dropped them at a bus stop near the corner of on Grand Junction Rd and Addison. This period saw the creation of gay clubs in Adelaide (such as a location known as the Mars Bar) and other clubs where all sexualities were welcome (such as the Duke of York or Buckingham Arms, known in the area as "The Buck"). The son was fifteen when he was snatched from the street . [14] The hair around the area had been shaved as it would have been in an operation in a hospital. Police believe that up to 12 people, several of them high-profile Australians, were involved in the kidnappings. Detective O'Brien was the unfortunate one tasked with notifying the Kelvins that Richard's body had been found; which he describes in his book as one of the most heartbreaking duties he's ever had to endure. It shows the facts and most likely scenarios, but is fluid so when new information comes to light changes can easily be made. [5][9] The cold case review was completed in November 2010 with no charges being laid against any of the three key suspects. This included people that visited the same bars and clubs as Neil and perhaps knew him that way. Writing, research, hosting, and production by Micheal Whelan, Producers: Maggyjames, Ben Krokum, Roberta Janson, Quil Carter, Peggy Belarde, Laura Hannan, Damion Moore, Amy Hampton, Scott Meesey, Steven Wilson, Scott Patzold, Marie Vanglund, Lori Rodriguez, Jessica Yount, Aimee McGregor, Danny Williams, Sue Kirk, Victoria Reid, Sara Moscaritolo, Thomas Ahearn, Marion Welsh, Seth Morgan, Sydney Scotton, Alyssa Lawton, Kelly Jo Hapgood, Patrick Laakso, Meadow Landry, Rebecca Miller, and Tatum Bautista, Original music created by Micheal Whelan through Amper Music, Other music created and composed by Ailsa Traves, Young Bloods: The Story of the Family Murders by Bob OBrien, Crime Stoppers (South Australia) - Alan Arthur Barnes, Crime Stoppers (South Australia) - Neil Fredrick Muir, Crime Stoppers (South Australia) - Peter Stogneff, Crime Stoppers (South Australia) - Mark Andrew Langley, Crime Stoppers (South Australia) - Richard Kelvin, The Sydney Morning Herald - Adelaides Duncan case: letting some light shine in, The Sydney Morning Herald - Boys murderer refused High Court appeal, The Sydney Morning Herald - Macabre Adelaide (1), The Sydney Morning Herald - Macabre Adelaide (2), The Sydney Morning Herald - Murderer quizzed on death of youth, The Age - Men fled as Duncan died, court told, The Sydney Morning Herald - The Beaumonts, Kirste and Joanne: the mystery may be over, The Sydney Morning Herald - Witness feared threats to his life, The Age - Court told rape victim thought he would die, The Sydney Morning Herald - Family killings murder charge dropped, The Age - Lock up your sons in the worlds murder capital, The Weekend Australian - How Mother Goose ducked pedophile net, The Advertiser - Police seek von Einem associate, Perth Now - DNA tests for Family murder suspects, The Advertiser - $5M reward bid to solve Family murders, The Sydney Morning Herald - Reward doubled to solve Family murders, The Telegraph - Australian police reopen notorious 1970s Family murders case, The Sydney Morning Herald - Aussie pedophile deported from Indonesia, The Advertiser - Focus on three key suspects, The Advertiser - Revealed: The double life of a magistrate who sought young men, ABC News - Mother Goose sex trial starts in Adelaide, The Advertiser - Mother Goose claims he was set up by gay ex-prostitutes, The Advertiser - Doctor with alleged links to The Family identified as Stephen George Woodards, The Advertiser - Sex-case doctor Stephen George Woodards free to practise, ABC News - Mother Goose acquitted of sex charges, The Advertiser - Paedophile Peter Liddy fears prison attack, ABC News - Former TV entertainer sentenced for sex offences, The Advertiser - Lost diary gives South Australia police new lead into Alan Barnes murder by The Family, The Daily Mail - Will $13million reward solve the murders of 18 children? SA convicted murderer Bevan Spencer Von Einem during the jury's tour of North Adelaide dumping spot of Richard Kelvin's body. Over the next few days, it became apparent that Alan Barnes was not returning home. Bevan Spencer von Einem was jailed for life for the murder of 15-year-old Richard Kelvin. 17-year-old Alan Barnes, 25-year-old Neil Muir, 14-year-old Peter Stogneff, 18-year-old Mark Langley and 15-year-old Richard Kelvin were later found dumped in the Adelaide Hills and surrounds. 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. Do you think the Family Murders case will ever be solved? There was not much to connect them, other than the graphic sexual nature of the crimes, and months would continue to pass before this story would begin to surface again in the public eye. 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. Bevan von Einems life revolved around sexual sadism. He loved music - both playing it and listening to it - and had a good rapport with his friends, whom he hung around constantly. However, police would reach out to all of Mark's known friends, and learned that the night prior - February 27th - he had simply wandered off into the night and had not been seen since. However, unlike many of the others, it was believed that Richard had been held captive for an extended period of time, enduring torture and sexual abuse for weeks leading up to his death. 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 . When Boris had last seen Richard, walking away from the bus stop down the street from his home, he had still been wearing the collar, and it is has been theorized that the collar itself might have been a trigger for the deviant (or deviants) that ultimately decided to abduct Richard. On this night, in particular, that included these three men. While changes in Southern Australia's draconian laws had decriminalized homosexuality, there were still people eager to prey on or harass gay men and women - behavior that lingers to this day. Hundreds of sordid and terrifying crimes and only one man found guilty in relation to only one victim. Moments later, George lost consciousness, falling prey to the drugs that he had consumed. Bevan von Einem was an apex predator. This section explores his social network. Between 1979 and 1983, a series of heinous murders shocked Adelaide. He consented to any available tests or analysis, and during a medical screening, it was discovered that the young man did have tears in his anus, proving that he had been raped. In 2014 when Trevor passed away, his diaries were recovered. Alan lived with his parents, both English immigrants, in Salisbury: a northern suburb of Adelaide. 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. After being arrested, Dr. Millhouse had denied ever knowing Neil, and continued stating so over the next year, openly defying the dozens of witness statements that claimed they were acquaintances at the least, intimate friends at the most. A witness says she saw Stogneff at Tea Tree Plaza with someone matching Noel Brook's appearance. Mark Langley attended party in Windsor Gardens but left with a male and female. Little is known about the unidentified man, but Roger James had his ankle broken when he was plunged into the river that May, and was only able to escape with the help of a friendly onlooker. This website was built on publicly available information contributed by many people who have an interest in this case. One victim was killed and dumped within 24 hours, another was kept alive for five weeks, and the rest were in between. However, they were able to learn from a witness that a young man matching Peter's description had been spotted at Tea Tree Plaza the morning of his disappearance, and had been in the company of an adult male. Hundreds of sordid and terrifying crimes and only one man found guilty in relation to only one victim. It was speculated that a foreign object had caused the internal perforations, leading to the belief that the killer had been a sexual sadist whose only intent was to cause physical pain. 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. This site is constantly being updated as more is learned. While the men in the river struggled to make it back to the shore, the group that had thrown them into the water made their escape before camera crews or onlookers could begin to gather. The man that had driven George there offered him a couple of pills called "No-Doz," which - he promised - would help him stay awake to enjoy the party. Unfortunately, it would later be determined that he would suffer in anguish for weeks before meeting eventually dying more than a month after his initial disappearance. Neil had several drug debts throughout Adelaide, and that is where police started their investigation. They organized a helicopter search of the area, which O'Brien was present for, but unfortunately, the police were unable to find anything definitive. 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. In June of 1983, Richard Kelvin was approaching sixteen years of age. This conflict has endured because Alan's bloodstream also showed signs of alcohol consumption, which Alan had participated in that same weekend. 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. Richard's family disputed this, vigorously denying the notion that Richard would have run away of his own accord. Boris left on a bus, and Richard started making his way back home a trip that was no more than four-hundred meters. He was able to exploit and manipulate enablers, helpers and participants over a long period of time. He was also found to be wearing clothing that did not belong to him, and his original clothing was missing entirely. Unfortunately, that Thursday, Peter never arrived at the mall to meet his friend. A few more anonymous calls would be received in the coming weeks. It was at around this time - the end of August - that Investigator Rod Hunter finally got around to interviewing Bevan Spencer von Einem, the man implicated by an anonymous caller in the murder of Alan Barnes. Over time Trevor kept diary records of his conversations with that suspect as well as another suspect. 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. The victims were found in random locations throughout the state, their bodies neatly cut into pieces. It wasn't until the following year, 1983, that police finally rediscovered George's story. Other times he would just pick up a hitch hiker. He had struggled to wean himself off of heroin, using methadone to do so, only to have methadone become his next addiction. That was when similar stories of young men being drugged and sexually assaulted began to make waves throughout Australia; young men that had been drugged with similar substances. 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. [6] Von Einem was also one of the last people seen with a fourth victim, Muir, following his abduction.
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