Police reveal suspected murder victim Michael Modesti’s secret phone is missing

MAJOR crime detectives have revealed a secret mobile phone used by Beverley man Michael Modesti, who is believed to have been murdered, is missing and may contain vital evidence that could help solve the baffling case.

Michael Modesti at Adelaide Airport, after returning from Thailand on May 6.

A MISSING mobile telephone could hold the key to the mystery disappearance and presumed murder of Beverley father Michael Modesti.

Major Crime detectives have revealed they believe the Alcatel brand phone — registered in a false name — was used by Mr Modesti to most likely conduct unlawful activity.

Detectives have also revealed Mr Modesti, 33, most likely left his Willsmore St, Beverley, home at 8.15am on Monday, May 9 — not the previous night as first believed.

The missing telephone, which detectives believe was taken from Mr Modesti’s blue Mitsubishi 380 sedan when it was left on Chenoweth Ave at West Croydon between 9.30am and 10.34am on May 9, is likely to contain the telephone numbers of associates also involved in illegal activity in the western suburbs.

Major Crime case officer detective Senior Sergeant Mark McEachern said while a definite motive for Mr Modesti’s presumed murder had not yet been determined, they had established links between him and known organised crime figures who operated in the western suburbs.

He also revealed while there had been 25 Crime Stoppers calls in the case so far, detectives had encountered a reluctance from some of Mr Modesti’s associates who were “fearful and fear reprisals’’ if they provided information to police.

“We have spoken to some who have the ability to assist but in some cases at best they have withheld and at worst lied to us,” Snr-Sgt McEachern said.

“I would say to them there are ways we can receive that information so as they are not exposed.’’

Mr Modesti was reported missing by his family on Tuesday May 10. Picture: FACEBOOK

Mr Modesti, a tiler who had been employed by a building company, was reported missing by his family on Tuesday, May 10.

His partner last spoke with him at 10.45pm on Sunday, March 8, when he advised her he was going to bed.

Forensic officers have found no visible signs of a disturbance at his home, where the television was left turned on and the blinds were up.

This indicated he had been either taken forcibly or left his home voluntarily to meet someone.

Mr Modesti’s wallet, credit cards, most of the $400 he had withdrawn from an ATM at Welland on May 8 and his legitimate mobile telephone were left at the house.

However, police have not found his sunglasses.

“We are reasonably confident of the timing he left the house now because of several factors but we do not know the circumstances yet,’’ Snr-Sgt McEachern said.

“It may be he left the house just for a short time to meet someone, which would possibly account for the state of the house.’’

While Mr Modesti is known to police for minor cannabis possession, he was not regarded as a significant figure in that industry.

“People do not go missing for no reason. We suspect it is probably drug related and are trying to either eliminate or substantiate that,’’ Snr-Sgt McEachern said.

“He has grown up in the western suburbs and does know a lot of people who are well known in the drug, organised crime industry but is not necessarily a close associate of them all.

“The extent of his involvement with those people is not yet clear.’’

Mr Modesti's Mitsubishi 380 sedan was found dumped in Chenoweth Avenue, West Croydon.

He said finding the missing telephone — referred to as a “burner phone’’ by those involved in illegal activity to thwart police attempts to intercept their calls — was a major focus of the investigation because of the evidence it could contain.

“We know he had a phone subscribed in his name which was for legitimate purposes and everyday contacts,” Snr-Sgt McEachern said.

“We know he had possession of another telephone that was subscribed in another name, which we can only assume was for unlawful purposes.

“Somebody has disposed of the telephone prior to police recovering his vehicle. It’s disappearance may be linked to his murder or to protect a drug network.’’

Snr-Sgt McEachern said police were still seeking a woman who walked past Mr Modesti’s car on Chenoweth Ave just after she got off a bus that had stopped on Torrens Rd, adjacent to Chenoweth Ave, at 10.34am on May 9.

A map of the likely route used by whoever dumped Mr Modesti's car.

“There is a strong likelihood she lives in the immediate vicinity so we would like to speak with her,’’ Snr-Sgt McEachern said.

Detectives are still probing a trip Mr Modesti took to Thailand between April 26 and May 6.

He told his family it was to attend a building expo because he was contemplating establishing a business importing silicone to South Australia.

“It is still a focus of our investigation. We are exploring any possibility that trip is a factor in his disappearance,” Snr-Sgt McEachern said.

“That includes where he went, who he contacted, where he stayed and what he actually did for the nine days he was there.

“We have a degree of suspicion about the trip because we can’t get to the bottom of why he actually went there and have no clarity around it.’’

Anyone with information about Mr Modesti’s disappearance should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.