Author Summary
The "Family" murders in 1970s-1980s Adelaide involved the abduction, abuse, and killing of five young men by a suspected group, with Bevan von Einem convicted of one while linked to others, shattering the city's sense of safety amid related unsolved cases. (168 characters)
Overview
A series of horrific murders occurred in Adelaide, South Australia, during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Authorities believe a loose group dubbed "The Family" kidnapped, tortured, sexually abused, and killed five young men aged 14 to 25. The name emerged from a 1988 TV segment where a detective described breaking up a "happy family" behind the crimes.
Key Suspect
Bevan Spencer von Einem, now 79, stands convicted only of murdering 15-year-old Richard Kelvin in 1983, earning a life sentence. Officials suspect his role, with "The Family," in four more deaths, though evidence fell short for additional charges. Speculation lingers about influential figures evading justice, but police point to a network exploiting the local gay scene.
Victims
- Alan Barnes, 17 (or 16 per some accounts): Vanished near his birthday in 1979; body found under South Para Bridge, cleaned, redressed, with massive blood loss from injuries, alcohol, and sedatives detected.
- Neil Muir, 25; Peter Stogneff, 14; Mark Langley, 18: Killed between 1979-1982, linked by sexually motivated patterns.
- Richard Kelvin: Last victim, tied directly to von Einem.
Context
These events followed the 1973 unsolved disappearance of children Joanne Ratcliffe, 11, and Kirste Gordon, 4, from Adelaide Oval. Earlier, between late 1976-1977, the "Truro murders" saw seven young women vanish and get killed in a separate spree ended by suspect Christopher Worrell's car crash death. Detectives noted serious patterns in the teen killings but kept opinions confidential.
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