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Outback Opal Miners reflected on father’s death in Andamooka

A reality TV star’s father was murdered in front of him in the SA outback, with his killer found guilty in court this week. The star has reflected back on the heartbreaking incident. Watch the video.

Son of murdered opal miner reflects on father (Foxtel)

The son of an opal miner murdered in a remote outback town as part of a long-running feud over stolen gems has been revealed as a reality TV show star.

Leif Tanzer stars in the reality TV show, Outback Opal Hunters – an Australian program that is syndicated to more than 100 countries worldwide.

Leif’s father Paul Tanzer was murdered in Andamooka in November 2019, following an altercation with Brian David McFarlane over stolen opals.

McFarlane, 62, stabbed Paul Tanzer twice after the pair got into a scuffle, fatally wounding him after severing a femoral artery in his leg.

McFarlane was found guilty of murder in the Port Augusta Magistrates Court on Wednesday, after a two-day jury deliberation.

Andamooka miner Paul Tanzer earned the nickname ‘King Kong’ due to his stature. Picture: Supplied
Andamooka miner Paul Tanzer earned the nickname ‘King Kong’ due to his stature. Picture: Supplied
A historical photo of Paul Tanzer with his children. Picture: File
A historical photo of Paul Tanzer with his children. Picture: File

Outback Opal Miners, which airs on Foxtel, depicts teams of miners from around Australia searching for opals, with Leif Tanzer, Colin ‘Cozza’ Kathagen and Matthew Kathagen collectively known as the “Mooka Boys.”

During the program, Leif Tanzer reflected on the passing of his father.

“He was tough on my brother and myself, but everything he did paid off for us,” he said.

“The way he said goodbye was dying in my arms on the way to the hospital.”

Colin ‘Cozza’ Kathagen, Matthew Kathagen and Leif Tanza (right) aka the Mooka Boys. Picture: Outback Opal Hunters
Colin ‘Cozza’ Kathagen, Matthew Kathagen and Leif Tanza (right) aka the Mooka Boys. Picture: Outback Opal Hunters

During the show the Mooka Boys reference an “opal bible” made by Paul Tanzer when searching for potential sites to mine.

“The whole goal is to continue on with dad’s work,” Leif said.

“We don’t want to be millionaires, we just want to be comfortable.”

The Mooka Boys joined the cast of Outback Opal Hunters in 2022, with the showrunners describing them as “embracing the Mad Max lifestyle of the Australian outback.”

Brian McFarlane operating a Caterpillar D9G bulldozer in Andamooka. Picture: Supplied
Brian McFarlane operating a Caterpillar D9G bulldozer in Andamooka. Picture: Supplied

The court heard that after stabbing Paul Tanzer, McFarlane was punched, kicked and hit with a star dropper by Leif Tanzer.

McFarlane claimed to have acted in self defence, referencing several instances of animosity between himself and the deceased.

Leif Tanzer alleged in court the feud was over $1m worth of opals stolen from the back of a ute owned by the Tanzer’s by an associate of McFarlane’s.

Brian David McFarlane was found guilty of murder after a ten day trial in Port Augusta Supreme Court. Picture: Facebook
Brian David McFarlane was found guilty of murder after a ten day trial in Port Augusta Supreme Court. Picture: Facebook
Leif Tanzer was present when his father was fatally stabbed by Brian McFarlane. Picture: Supplied
Leif Tanzer was present when his father was fatally stabbed by Brian McFarlane. Picture: Supplied

The court heard Paul Tanzer and McFarlane had a storied history of conflict over gems, including an incident where McFarlane lodged a complaint with the Department for Energy and Mining against Mr Tanzer, alleging he was mining opals unlicensed on properties in Andamooka.

MacFarlane had done mining work for Paul Tanzer, who earned the nickname ‘King Kong’ around Andamooka, in the past and the duo had known each other for more than 25 years.

McFarlane will be sentenced later this year.

The murder of Paul Tanzer surrounded opal mining disputes in Andamooka.
The murder of Paul Tanzer surrounded opal mining disputes in Andamooka.

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/upper-spencer-gulf/outback-opal-miners-reflected-on-fathers-death-in-andamooka/news-story/f896c42c87958e624495b605a6090519