Ex-private schoolboy Marco Yandle jointly charged over murder of Steven Murphy whose body was found in Kudla bunker

Former Trinity College vice-captain Marco Yandle, 19, seemed destined for great things. But now, he faces the possibility of life behind bars.

Police outside the property at Ormsby Rd, Kudla. Picture: Picture Mark Brake

Former Trinity College vice-captain Marco Yandle, 19, seemed destined for great things.

A talented footballer, an esteemed student and a hardworking employee.

Which is why his alleged role in the suspected murder of 38-year-old father Steven Murphy – who was found buried in a bunker on a remote property – has shocked people close to him.

The teenager was arrested alongside his 46-year-old father, Keith Yandle, and charged with Mr Murphy’s murder on Thursday.

If found guilty, Marco faces the possibility of life behind bars.

Meanwhile, Keith is the first person in South Australia to be charged with concealing human remains and could face up to 15 years in jail on top of any sentence for murder.

Marco Yandle is charged with murder after the body of missing man Steven Murphy was found buried in a Kudla bunker. Picture: Facebook

Marco Yandle in his Trinity College uniform. Picture: Facebook

The revelation comes after a two-day search at a remote property on Ormsby Rd, at Kudla, which led to the discovery of human remains in a man-made pit beneath a shed on Tuesday.

When Maisen McInerney saw his baby-faced former colleague was one of two men accused, he said it “blew his mind”.

“I saw it on the news and when they said it was Marco Yandle, I just thought ‘No way, that’s ridiculous,’” he said.

“It was the last name I expected to hear.”

Mr McInerney was a shift supervisor at South Gawler Dominos where he worked alongside Marco for about six months.

He said he was the kind of kid you would be happy to see alongside you on the roster.

“I was always happy because I thought I’ve got a good delivery driver and someone who also knows how to run the instore as well,” he said.

Head of Trinity College, Nick Hately said members of the school community were surprised by the allegations against Marco.

“We can confirm one of the accused was a recent student leader at Trinity College,” Mr Hately said.

“Many in our community are in shock trying to process what has been alleged to have happened.

“Our prayers are with all impacted by these serious and very tragic events.”

Marco Yandle (right) pictured in a South Gawler Football Club uniform. Picture: Facebook

Steven Murphy, 38, was last seen at Kudla on Wednesday, February 15. Picture: SA Police

For the South Gawler Football Club president Cosie Costa, it was a similar reaction.

Less than six months ago, Marco was awarded runner-up in the Reserves best and fairest in a team that went on to win a premiership in the Barossa Light and Gawler Football League.

Mr Costa said he was training at the club last Tuesday.

“I don’t think he’d missed a session, he was an integral part of our future,” Mr Costa said.

“We’re a strong family at our community based club and this news has hit us really hard.” He said there were a number of people upset within the four walls of the club.

“Our focus is now on our club and all those who were associated with Marco,” he said.

“We are in the process of putting together a program to support them.”

Mr Murphy’s final days and how he came to be at the Yandle’s property are now a matter for the courts.

But many from the northern suburbs communities of Kudla and Gawler were aware the 38-year-old was doing it tough in the weeks before he went missing on February 18.

Mr Murphy was reportedly sleeping rough in a swag at various locations across the district, struggling to make ends meet after the breakdown of a relationship with his ex-partner.

Friend and ex-workmate Steven Millowick said he last had contact with Mr Murphy in January. “I knew he was down in the dumps because he wasn’t seeing his kids, so I reached out to him,” he said.

“After that I sent him a couple of text messages and got no reply.”

Mr Murphy was reported missing in March.

Police search the cluttered shed at the Kudla property. Picture: 7NEWS

One neighbour adjacent to the Yandle home said his property was among many that had been searched by officers.

But it was alleged a “credible” tip-off to police that led detectives to a shed at the Ormsby Rd property. During a search on Monday, police allegedly found 20 cannabis plants being hydroponically grown, along with a .22 rifle and ammunition.

But it was a pit the size of two shipping containers that became their focus.

After dismantling the hydroponic set-up and removing the cannabis plants, police used excavation equipment to dig the hole over two days.

On Tuesday evening, they found the “gravesite” within a man-made bunker.

Speaking at the time, Det Insp McEachern said police believed the body had been inside the bunker for “up to six weeks”.

Mr Millowick said even despite the discovery, he held out hope it wasn’t Mr Murphy.

But by Thursday his worst fears were confirmed when police revealed the remains were those of Mr Murphy.

“It hit home really hard, any hope I had was just crushed and that realisation that I was never going to see him again,” Mr Millowick said.

Neighbour Gary Nordhausen said he couldn’t believe the body was found just across the road. The charged father and son have been refused bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court next week.