Father of suspected Leopold murder victim, Paul Kingsbury, hopes justice for son ‘not far off’

The father of a suspected murder victim, whose body has never been found after he vanished nine years ago, says he feels “very close” to finding out the truth about his son’s probable slaying.

Gary Kingsbury with a photo of his son, who was last seen on July 6, 2014. Picture: Alison Wynd

The father of suspected murder victim Paul Kingsbury, whose body has never been found after he vanished from a Moolap farm nine years ago, says he feels “very close” to finding out the truth about his son’s likely death.

A Victorian Coroner has retired to consider her findings into the circumstances that lead to the former Leopold father’s probable slaying, amid plans by Victoria Police to offer a reward for information leading to an arrest into the baffling mystery.

The inquest heard Kingsbury, 27, was allegedly last seen leaving a shed on the Larkins Lane property with known criminal John Nelis, who Leading Senior Constable Kelly Ramsey told a summary inquest on Tuesday “was present at the time Paul was killed” on the morning of July 6, 2014.

Paul Kingsbury

No charges have ever been laid into his suspected murder.

His dad, Gary Kingsbury, told the Geelong Advertiser “the fear of being murdered themselves” had prevented people from coming forward in the past, but hoped a reward and witness protection could help unlock evidence needed for a conviction.

“We are not far off it, the detectives just need that one little piece of information that will seal the situation,” he said.

“I think it’s almost there, it’s just one piece of evidence and hopefully it comes out of someone’s mouth.

“If someone comes forward they will be congratulated I tell you.”

Mr Kingsbury, who could not bring himself to listen to details at the Victorian Coroners Court this week “because it upsets me”, said finding his son’s remains would help bring closure.

Paul Kingsbury as a teenager.

“It’s hard, it has been terrible,” he said.

“It just seems to go on and on and on.”

A Coroners Court spokeswoman said Coroner Leveasque Peterson was currently reviewing the evidence and would deliver a finding “in due course”.

It comes as Detective Leading Senior Constable Michael Cashman said a cash incentive for information into the death of Mr Kingsbury would be offered following the coroner’s decision.

“Given the circles he was moving with at the time, there was a significant level of fear of speaking out against people of that caliber,” he told the inquest on Tuesday.

“There are a number of people in that community who are aware of what happened to Mr Kingsbury.”

Originally published as Father of suspected Leopold murder victim, Paul Kingsbury, hopes justice for son ‘not far off’