Family murder truth may never be known
THE 30-year-old Family murders are destined to remain unresolved, with a major cold-case review failing to unearth any new evidence.
THE 30-year-old Family murders are destined to remain unresolved, with a major cold-case review failing to unearth any new evidence.
Without any convincing new evidence, the three long-standing and key suspects - and the already convicted murderer Bevan Spencer von Einem - will not be charged.
The decision comes after more than 18 months of renewed investigations and protracted forensic examinations into the murders of the five young males between 1979 and 1983.
While detectives have concluded their inquiries, final forensic tests on a number of exhibits in the case that could provide evidence against a number of the suspects is yet to be completed - but forensic officers are not confident they will be positive.
Major Crime officer-in-charge, detective Superintendent Grant Moyle, said the results of the forensic testing may result in further investigations being conducted and would determine "if there is any evidence to take action against any individual".
"(But) I have not received any further information that would allow us to take these matters forward at this stage," he said.
The review of the Family murders was the largest cold-case review conducted by Major Crime detectives with all witnesses reinterviewed, DNA swabs taken from the four suspects and their associates and dozens of exhibits re-examined at the Forensic Science Centre.
It examined the murders of Richard Kelvin, Mark Langley, Alan Barnes, Neil Muir and Peter Stogneff who were killed between 1979 and 1983. The five deaths have been linked to a close-knit group of homosexuals who preyed on young men by picking them up, drugging them and sexually abusing them.
Only one member of the group, Bevan Spencer von Einem, has been brought to justice. He is serving a life sentence for the murder of Richard Kelvin. Although his 24-year non-parole period expired last November, he has not yet applied for release.
It is understood several detectives who worked on the review believed there was enough evidence to put von Einem and another suspect, an eastern suburbs businessman, on trial for one of the unsolved murders, but this view was not shared by senior officers.
Supt Moyle said a "cautious approach" needed to be taken when assessing the available evidence before launching any prosecution because the "the outcome is definitive".
"I am certain if there was enough evidence action would have been taken in the past," he said.
A $1 million reward and immunity from prosecution are available for anyone who provides information that leads to a conviction in the murders.
"I would hope the reward would be an incentive for some people to come forward. I certainly feel there are a lot of people who do know a lot more about what happened to these victims than have come forward," Supt Moyle said.
"It is never too late for them to come forward and I don't think anyone involved in this should ever sleep easy.
"No one should think these cases are forgotten. They are not.
"It is never too late for someone to come forward with information regarding them. We will follow it up."
Alan Barnes' brother, Charlie, echoed his remarks, stating he believed that those responsible would one day be held accountable.
"I would like them to shed the guilt and remorse they must be carrying around and come forward and bring this to a conclusion," he said.
"I know the police are like bulldogs and will not let go of this. They may well tap you on the shoulder one day.
"I am over wanting revenge for what happened to Alan, I just want to see justice prevail one day."